LOUDONVILLE, NY – Nevada to New York. Nevada Smith, who helped orchestrate the success of perennial national powers Marquette and Texas over the past six seasons, has been appointed the 20^th head coach in Siena Men's Basketball history.
 
Smith will be formally introduced at a press conference next week, with more details to follow.
 
"My family and I could not be more excited to arrive in the Capital Region and become a part of the Siena community," said Smith. "I am honored and humbled to be able to lead this program, and build upon the momentum created by Gerry McNamara, his staff, and the great players who have proudly worn the Siena jersey throughout the years. I would like to thank President Seifert, John D'Argenio, and the search committee for having the trust in me to lead this storied program. I can't wait to get to work. GO SAINTS!"
 
The 45-year-old Smith arrives in Loudonville with 22 years of coaching experience spanning both the collegiate and professional ranks. The West Leechburg, Pennsylvania native has previously served eight seasons as a head coach in both the NBA G League and at the NCAA Division III level. 
 
Smith spent the past six transformative seasons at the power-conference level, working on staff for Shaka Smart at both Marquette (2021-26) and Texas (2020-21). Smith served the past three seasons as an assistant coach for the Golden Eagles (2023-26), after first arriving in Milwaukee as the Special Assistant to the Head Coach from 2021-23. He was the Director of Player Development in his lone season with the Longhorns, helping Texas secure the Big 12 Tournament Championship and a peak ranking of top-five nationally.
 
"As Siena University continues its climb in the national landscape, the appointment of Nevada Smith as our next men's basketball head coach marks a significant new chapter for our program," said Siena University President Chuck Seifert, Ph.D. "Nevada is a proven winner with a sophisticated basketball mind. His unique blend of professional head coaching experience and recent success at the highest level of college basketball makes him the ideal leader for our Saints. Beyond success on the court, Nevada's commitment to student athlete development is clear. His track record of fostering academic excellence at Marquette, highlighted by record-setting team GPA's and Academic All-American honors, aligns perfectly with our mission and our athletics history. We are welcoming a leader who understands that championship success and character development go hand in hand. I am confident Nevada's ability to recruit and elevate talent will be the catalyst for more championships and national success as we continue to strengthen the Siena brand. We are thrilled to welcome Nevada, Lindsay, Finley, and Scotland to the Siena community."
 
Smith helped guide Marquette to four NCAA Tournament appearances in his five seasons on staff. The Golden Eagles produced three straight Consensus All-America selections from 2022-25 while totaling 79 wins, tied for the most during any three-year span in program history. Marquette achieved a school-record 56 victories from 2022-24, punctuated by a program benchmark 29 wins while earning the school's highest national ranking in nearly 50 years during the 2022-23 season. The Golden Eagles captured the program's first BIG EAST Regular Season and Tournament Championship in 2023, and earned its first Sweet 16 appearance in 11 years following Smith's elevation to assistant coach during the 2023-24 season.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome Nevada into the Siena family, and add a talented, driven young coach who will help us continue building and elevating our men's basketball program," said Vice President/Director of Athletics John D'Argenio. "When his name first came up through our NBA connections, it was clear that Nevada was someone we needed to target. His experience across both the collegiate and professional levels, combined with his approach and mindset, strongly aligns with the qualities we've seen in successful coaches here in the past."
 
Smith served as a head coach at the professional level in the NBA G League for five seasons, leading Miami Heat affiliate Sioux Falls Skyforce (2016-19) and Houston Rockets affiliate Rio Grande Valley Vipers (2013-15). He amassed a 135-116 (.538) overall record, while developing 14 players who earned promotions to the NBA.
 
Smith began his coaching career with 11 years in the collegiate ranks at the DIII level, including three seasons as a head coach. He led the programs at both Keystone (2011-13) and SUNY Canton (2004-05), with his stint at Keystone yielding a 39-16 (.709) record.
 
Smith also served as an assistant coach at Ithaca (2006-11) – helping guide the Bombers to a 96-40 (.706) record with a pair of playoff appearances (2009, 2011) and a 2010 Eastern College Athletic Conference title – as well as Allegheny (2005-06), after first breaking into the ranks as a graduate assistant at St. Lawrence (2002-04).
 
Smith amassed 1,255 career points as a four-year starter at Bethany College (1998-02). He led the nation in made three-point field goals per game as a junior in 2000-01, and finished his standout career with a Bison-record 313 made threes. Smith led Bethany to a school-record 23 wins and the program's first NCAA playoff appearance his senior season. A multi-sport standout, he was also a three-year captain of the men's golf team while earning All-Conference honors.
 
Smith graduated from Bethany in 2002 with his bachelor's degree in Sport Management, and earned his master's degree in General Education from St. Lawrence in 2004.
 
Smith and his wife, Lindsay, are the proud parents to daughters Finley (seven) and Scotland (four).