Miles Smith Jr., ’09, Hired as JSC Asst. Athletics Director and Head Men’s Basketball Coach

July 28, 2015

The Johnson State College Athletics Department has named Miles Smith Jr., ’09, its new assistant director of athletics and head men’s basketball coach. Smith replaces Tommy Verdell, who served as head coach for two years before leaving this summer to become the assistant director of athletics and compliance officer at Bates College in Maine.

Most recently, Smith was an admissions recruiter and the first head men’s basketball coach at the newly co-ed Wilson College in Pennsylvania. He previously served as assistant basketball coach at The College of New Jersey in suburban Trenton, where he was responsible for player development, scouting, game-day management and recruitment. Smith also spent three seasons as an assistant basketball coach at Mercer County Community College, where in 2010 he helped coach the Vikings to the Region 19 National Junior College Athletic Association championship and an appearance in the NJACC National Tournament.

“As a dedicated alumnus and proven head coach, Miles will be a strong addition to our staff, serving as an important touch-point for JSC student-athletes, alumni and community members,” said Athletic Director Jamey Ventura.

A native of Philadelphia, Smith transferred to JSC in 2007 with an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Mercer County Community College. He earned his B.A. degree in anthropology and sociology from JSC in May 2009 and spent the following fall working for JSC’s Office of Admissions.

Smith was a starter on the men’s basketball team during his two seasons at JSC and was named team captain and president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee his senior year. He played in all 51 games during his two seasons with Johnson State as a senior point guard, leading the Badgers to the North Atlantic Conference playoffs.

“I am grateful to be a part of the bright future that Johnson State College Athletics is building,” said Smith. “Johnson State is a place that that no other institution in the world can match. It is an honor to come ‘home’ to lead the men’s basketball program. I am excited about the opportunity to work with the student-athletes and help them grow as individuals and achieve their goals.”