| ||||||||||||
Todd Smith is in his first season on The University of Tulsa basketball coaching staff. Smith was appointed to his position on June 4, 2007.
Smith came to Tulsa following 18 years as an assistant coach at Rice University. After serving two years as a graduate assistant coach (1989-91), Smith was promoted to the restricted earnings position where he served from 1991-95, and for the past 12 years (1995-2007) has served as a full-time assistant coach.
Highlights from his tenure at Rice included helping the program achieve more than 150 wins, the first 20-win season in more than 40 years and the first postseason win since 1953. For the Owls, Smith was involved in almost all aspects of the program. In his 18 years, Smith had the opportunity to coach each player position.
A former four-year basketball letterman at Valparaiso University, Smith played three years for his father (Tom Smith) and his final season for current coach Homer Drew. Smith finished his collegiate playing career ranked third on the Crusaders' all-time assists list with 368. He was also sixth on the schools' list for career steals.
Smith graduated from Valparaiso in 1989 earning a B.S. in physical education and communication.
The 41-year-old Smith, who was born in Valparaiso, Ind., played high school basketball at Valparaiso High. He was an all-conference prep performer, leading the Vikings to the "Sweet 16" in a state that is fanatic about its high school basketball.
He and his wife, Ketti, have three sons, Turner (14), Tate (11), and Jace (8), and a daughter, Sadie (6).
