John Smith
John Smith (born March 12, 1969)
Teams coached: Cal Poly Mustangs
Cal Poly record: 30-117 (.204)
Overall record^: 30-117 (.204)
Career Accomplishments:
- NCAA National Championships: 0
- NCAA Tournament Appearances: 0
- NIT Championships: 0
- NIT Appearances: 0
Coaching Career (head coach, unless noted):
2019-2024 | Cal Poly |
2013-2019 | Cal State Fullerton (assoc. HC) |
2004-2013 | Riverside City College |
2000-2004 | San Bernardino Valley College |
199#-## | College of Southern Idaho (asst) |
199#-199# | Chaffey College (asst) |
John Smith Facts
- John Smith
- Born March 12, 1969
- Hometown: Riverside, California
- Alma Mater: Dominican University (BS, 1994) / Azusa Pacific University (MS, 2004)
- Started his college career at UNLV, where he played under Hall of Fame head coach Jerry Tarkanian
- Transferred to NAIA Dominican in San Rafael, CA, where he played for brother, Steve Smith
- Early coaching jobs included stints as an assistant College of Southern Idaho, Chaffey College (CA), Valley View HS (CA) and at his alma mater, J.W. North HS in Riverside, CA
- Spent one year as the West Coast scout for the Detroit Shock of the WNBA
- Served as head coach at assistant athletic director at San Bernardino Valley College (CA) for four year
- Went 88-40 during his tenure, earning Foothill Conference COY honors in 2003
- Was the head coach at Riverside City College (CA) for nine seasons, going 196-87 (.693) overall
- Won four conference titles (2005, 2007, 2010, 2011) and the 2009 CCCAA state championship
- Inducted into the California Community College Men’s Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2016
- Spent six seasons as associate head coach under Dedrique Taylor at Cal State Fullerton
- Was on staff for three postseason appearances (one NCAA and two CBI) and the 2018 Big West Tournament title
- Hired in March 2019 to be the head coach at Cal Poly, his first D-I head coaching opportunity
- Never won more than seven games in any of his five seasons at the helm; was fired in March 2024 amidst a 0-20 Big West campaign
John Smith Coaching Tree
- Justin Downer (Point Loma)
^ overall record includes head coaching positions at the NCAA Division I level only