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Steve Smith Position: Assistant Coach Experience: 6th Year Alma Mater: Trinity '02

Steve Smith is in his sixth seaason with the Spartans

Steve Smith is in his sixth season as assistant men's basketball coach at USC Upstate. He is involved in all aspects of the program and serves as the recruiting coordinator for the Spartans.

Smith has been a member of Eddie Payne's coaching staff since Payne took over the Upstate program in 2002. He was promoted to the top assistant position in 2005.

Under Smith's stint as an assistant at Upstate, the Spartans have won two Peach Belt Conference (NCAA Division II) championships, the regular season championship in 2004-05 and the league tournament title in 2005-06. He has helped lead Upstate to two NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, advancing to the second round of the tournament in 2005. He has coached two players, Kevin Harrington and Jay Free, who finished their careers with over 1,000 points.

While a member of the Spartan coaching staff, Smith has helped lead Upstate to a 93-54 record in five seasons. Upstate has not had a losing season during that time frame.

Smith attended Morgan State from 1991-94, playing on the basketball team for two seasons. He left Morgan State to enlist in the Army. He served in the Army from 1994-2000 and was stationed at Ft. Gordon (Ga.) and Ft. Meade (Md.). While in the Army, he worked with computers, gaining valuable training in the field. He also participated on the All-Army basketball team that traveled throughout the country playing exhibition games against Division I colleges and universities. In addition, the team played other United States service teams, as well as international military teams.

Smith enrolled at Trinity College just outside of Washington D.C. upon leaving the Army in 2000. He finished his degree requirements through correspondence courses while working as an assistant women's basketball coach at Allen University in Columbia, S.C., from 2000-02.

A native of Varnville, S.C., Smith attended Wade Hampton High School near Beaufort. He was a two-time All-Region selection and a member of the varsity boys' basketball team for three years. He helped lead Wade Hampton to three conference championships and an appearance in the lower state 2A championship.

Smith and his wife, Fran, have a daughter, Tayler. His sister-in-law, Britniesha, is a member of the USC Upstate women's basketball team.