Kyle Smith, a former St. Mary’s assistant, will be the next men’s basketball head coach, the Athletic Department has confirmed. Smith will replace Joe Jones, who left Columbia after seven years for the associate head coaching position at Boston College.
“Columbia University is very proud and excited to name Kyle Smith as our head men’s basketball coach” athletic director M. Dianne Murphy said in a press release this afternoon. “Kyle is an outstanding leader and successful recruiter with a terrific basketball mind. We are thrilled to welcome him to Columbia.”
Smith spent nine years on the St. Mary’s staff and the last five as associate head coach. He has been mostly involved with recruitment, the team’s offensive game plans, and player development. He also helped his team to a Sweet Sixteen appearance in the 2010 NCAA tournament.
“I am very excited to be the next head men’s basketball coach at Columbia, one of the nation’s premier universities,” Smith said in the press release. “I am very grateful to Dr. M. Dianne Murphy and President Lee C. Bollinger for this tremendous opportunity. I look forward to the challenge of building an Ivy League championship men’s basketball program at Columbia.”
A press conference will be held Wednesday. Check back for updates.
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