Eastern Michigan Athletics
Jay Smith Added to Experienced Men’s Hoops Staff
6/10/2024 10:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Smith, previously at Michigan, named Assistant Coach/Player Development
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball program has added Jay Smith to its staff as Assistant Coach/Player Development, as announced by Head Coach Stan Heath Monday, June 10.
Smith, who is entering his 39th season in collegiate basketball after he started his career at Kent State University in 1984, was most recently at the University of Michigan as Director of Player Personnel and Development as he and the staff compiled an 87-72 mark over the past five seasons.
"Jay brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our basketball program," Heath said. "He's coached at a high level, and he's worked with many professionals over the years. He's an outstanding coach and a guy who's going to spend a lot of time with player development. We're excited to bring Jay on board and he's going to be a big asset to our success."
Smith, who is originally from Mio, Mich., was Head Coach at Kalamazoo College from 2016-19, at Central Michigan University from 1997-2006, and at Grand Valley State University from 1996-97. Smith was also an Assistant Coach at the University of Detroit Mercy from 2008-16, for the Wolverines from 1989-96, and with the Golden Flashes from 1984-89.
"I want to thank Head Coach Stan Heath and Eastern Michigan University for this opportunity and look forward to working with our student-athletes and staff," Smith said. "I've had the privilege of knowing Stan for thirty years and I am excited to be on the same team after coaching against him for many years."
Winner of the 2001 and 2003 Mid-American Conference titles at CMU, Smith also played a key role in recruiting Michigan's "Fab Five," as part of six NCAA Tournament trips in his first stint in Ann Arbor. Smith also helped Detroit Mercy to the NCAA Tournament in 2012, as well as GVSU to a regular season and tournament championship in 1996-97.
Smith graduated from Saginaw Valley State University in 1984 with a degree in Physical Education and minor in Business before earning a Master's in Sport Management from Kent State in 1986.
The 1979 Michigan Mr. Basketball winner scored 2,841 career points at Mio AuSable High School, a record that still stands today.
Smith and his wife, Tymi, have one son, Cooper, and one daughter, Cazzi.
Smith, who is entering his 39th season in collegiate basketball after he started his career at Kent State University in 1984, was most recently at the University of Michigan as Director of Player Personnel and Development as he and the staff compiled an 87-72 mark over the past five seasons.
"Jay brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our basketball program," Heath said. "He's coached at a high level, and he's worked with many professionals over the years. He's an outstanding coach and a guy who's going to spend a lot of time with player development. We're excited to bring Jay on board and he's going to be a big asset to our success."
Smith, who is originally from Mio, Mich., was Head Coach at Kalamazoo College from 2016-19, at Central Michigan University from 1997-2006, and at Grand Valley State University from 1996-97. Smith was also an Assistant Coach at the University of Detroit Mercy from 2008-16, for the Wolverines from 1989-96, and with the Golden Flashes from 1984-89.
"I want to thank Head Coach Stan Heath and Eastern Michigan University for this opportunity and look forward to working with our student-athletes and staff," Smith said. "I've had the privilege of knowing Stan for thirty years and I am excited to be on the same team after coaching against him for many years."
Winner of the 2001 and 2003 Mid-American Conference titles at CMU, Smith also played a key role in recruiting Michigan's "Fab Five," as part of six NCAA Tournament trips in his first stint in Ann Arbor. Smith also helped Detroit Mercy to the NCAA Tournament in 2012, as well as GVSU to a regular season and tournament championship in 1996-97.
Smith graduated from Saginaw Valley State University in 1984 with a degree in Physical Education and minor in Business before earning a Master's in Sport Management from Kent State in 1986.
The 1979 Michigan Mr. Basketball winner scored 2,841 career points at Mio AuSable High School, a record that still stands today.
Smith and his wife, Tymi, have one son, Cooper, and one daughter, Cazzi.
| The Jay Smith File | ||
| Name: | Jay Smith | |
| High School: | Mio AuSable High School - Mio, Mich. | |
| College: | Saginaw Valley State University - Bachelor's degree in Physical Education - 1984 | |
| Kent State University - Master's degree in Sport Management - 1986 | ||
| Family: | Wife - Tymi; Son - Cooper, Daughter - Cazzi | |
| Coaching Experience | ||
| Year | School | Position |
| 2024-Present | Eastern Michigan University | Assistant Coach/Player Development |
| 2019-24 | University of Michigan | Director of Player Development |
| 2016-19 | Kalamazoo College | Head Coach |
| 2008-16 | University of Detroit Mercy | Assistant Coach |
| 1997-2006 | Central Michigan University | Head Coach |
| 1996-97 | Grand Valley State University | Head Coach |
| 1989-96 | University of Michigan | Assistant Coach |
| 1989-96 | Kent State University | Assistant Coach |
| 1981-83 | Saginaw Valley State University | Student-Athlete |
| 1979-80 | Bowling Green State University | Student-Athlete |
The Eagles also hired Carlos McMath as Director of Operations, May 28, to join Heath, as well as fourth-year assistants Bob Simon, Drew Denisco, and Shawn Trice.
Season ticket packages, which include tickets for all men's and women's basketball home games, are on sale now. To seize your opportunity to be part of the action, simply visit the EMU Ticket Office online or reach out via phone at 734.487.3669. Don't miss your chance to be a part of Eastern Michigan University's basketball legacy!
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