Smith joins the coaching staff of the University of South Dakota Athletics

By: Mercede Odegaard, USD Sports Information

VERMILLION, SD – South Dakota head men’s basketball coach Eric Peterson announced the addition of Sean Smith to its coaching staff. Smith joins the Coyotes after two seasons as head men’s basketball coach at North Park University.

Smith was named D3Hoops.com National Coach of the Year in 2023 after leading North Park to its first CCIW Tournament championship. The Vikings finished the season with a 24–6 record and a Sweet Sixteen appearance in Smith’s first year as collegiate head coach.

Smith led the Vikings to 24 wins (the most since the 1986–87 season), 13 CCIW wins (the most since the 1990–91 season), the first CCIW tournament victory and tournament championship for North Park, the first NCAA playoff appearance since 1990, and finished the 2022-2023 season in the sweet sixteen, NPU’s first appearance since 1987.

Prior to his time at North Park, Smith served as associate head men’s basketball coach and recruiting coordinator at Wisconsin Lutheran College. Smith also spent time at the high school level with stints at Orange County High School and Kenosha Christian Life.

Smith is a native of Chicago, Illinois, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Trinity International University before earning a master’s degree from Waldorf University. Smith and his wife Gabby have four children.