UNCASVILLE, Conn. (January 23, 2016) – Connecticut Sun head coach Curt Miller has hired veteran WNBA assistant coach Steve Smith to his staff.
“This is an amazing opportunity, and I cannot wait to get started,” said Smith, an assistant with Miller on the Los Angeles Sparks staff of head coach Brian Agler last year. “I worked with Curt last year, and we share a lot of the same thoughts on coaching the game. The Sun roster is young and talented, and I look forward to helping Curt achieve his goal of bringing a WNBA title to Connecticut.”
Smith’s coaching career spans more than 25 years and includes stints at the high school, college, and professional levels. After seven years spent as the head coach of the men’s basketball team at Dominican College, Smith coached nine seasons in the WNBA with the Phoenix Mercury, Los Angeles Sparks, and Detroit Shock. He has also spent time working as an advanced scout at the professional level for various NBA and WNBA teams.
“Steve is a veteran coach who brings significant WNBA experience to our team,” Miller said. “He has the ability to build strong relationships with players and is respected by the coaches across the league. Steve and I share many of the same coaching philosophies and think the game alike. I am looking forward to working with Steve and watching him have an impact on the organization.”
Smith has also enjoyed significant success as a head coach at the high school level, building the Windward (Cal.) girls’ basketball program into a powerhouse after taking over in 2000. In 13 years, Smith guided Windward to 12 league titles, including two CIF Championships, and a state title in 2011. Smith was named head coach of the Windward boys’ program in 2014, posting a 22-11 record with a divisional CIF Championship in his first year. During his tenure, 15 students went on to play college basketball at the NCAA Division I level. Smith’s overall high school record is 304-90.
A native of Riverside, California, Smith began his coaching career as an assistant at Bucks County Community College in Pennsylvania.
“I am really thrilled that Steve Smith has decided to join our coaching staff in Connecticut,” Miller said. “He was being courted by numerous coaches, but was excited about the potential of the Connecticut Sun roster. I enjoyed working alongside of him in Los Angeles last season, and he was the first coach I contacted after accepting the Sun head coaching job.”