Nolan Smith Is An Assistant Coach For Kenny Payne Who Is Louisville's New Head Coach
Nolan Smith had may roles with the Duke Men’s Basketball Program!
He was a player!
He played for Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski from 2008-2011 where he played in 121 victories in a Duke uniform to rank fifth in program history and sixth in ACC history, and his 143 games played are tied for the eighth-most in Duke annals. He served as a team captain as a senior in 2011.
During his tenure as a student-athlete, Duke went 65-2 (.970) at Cameron Indoor Stadium to set program records for both home wins and winning percentage in a four-year period.
He was aconsensus first-team All-American and ACC Player of the Year in 2011, Smith helped lead Duke to three consecutive ACC championships (2009-11) and the 2010 NCAA title during his tenure as a student-athlete.
He was a two-time All-ACC selection (2010-11) and was named ACC Tournament MVP as a senior in 2011. Smith led the ACC in scoring in his final season and his 764 points that year still rank as the ninth-best total in program history.
He helped Duke propel Duke to its fourth national championship in 2010, Smith was named Most Outstanding Player at the NCAA South Regional in Houston and earned a place on the All-Final Four Team after the Blue Devils cut down the nets in Indianapolis.
But that isn’t all Nolan Smith as done at Duke as he has also been on Mike Krzyzewski’s coaching staff.
He started out as the team’s Special Assistant before his promotion to Director of Basketball Operations & Player Development in March 2018.
As the Director Of Basketball Operations,
Nolan Smith worked in conjunction with the coaching and support staff to ensure that all team-related needs are met. He oversees the student manager program, while implementing and creating the daily basketball calendar and practice schedule. Among a wide-range of duties, he coordinates all meals and food for the basketball program, while assisting with team travel. As special assistant, his duties included assisting the coaching staff in developing game strategies, breaking down game film, planning practices and contributing in staff meetings.
“according to Nolan Smith’s Biography on goduke.com
During the 2021-2022 he was an Assistant Coach for Duke for Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski who coached his final season as the Head Coach of Duke because Nate James was named the Head Coach of Austin Peay On Tuesday April 2, 2021!
“according to an article by Sam MarsDale on 247sports.com”
Though, Nolan Smith would stay in that role for just the 2021 -2022 season where Duke went 32-7 losing to North Carolina 81-77 in the National Semifinals in New Orleans because after Duke’s loss to North Carolina Nolan Smith would become Assistant Coach to new Head Coach Kenny Payne at Louisville who like Duke is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Why?
Louisville’s new Head Coach Kenny Payne, Nolan Smith’s late father Derek Smith played against each other in the offseason league that once ranged every summer at Atherton High School.
“according to Rick Bozich’s article on WDRB.com”
Today he was introduced as the Assistant Coach to Kenny Payne in an introductory press conference!
Kenny Payne had this about adding Nolan Smith to his coaching staff!
I'm thrilled to welcome home one of the brightest young stars in the college basketball world," said Payne. "Nolan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from one of the premier programs in the country, as well as having worked with and beside one of the best coaches in the game in Mike Krzyzewski. Nolan's character, love for young people and work ethic will be a major asset for our basketball program and this university. His father is looking down on us smiling, because his blood and spirit are running through this program once again."
Nolan Smith had this to say about joining Kenny Payne’s coaching staff!
They say second chances don't come around often; so the opportunity to officially say, 'I am a Cardinal,' I couldn't pass up," said Smith. "As a young boy growing up in Louisville, I was taught early the rich history of Louisville Basketball and the deep pride that comes with it. It is with that same pride that I have taken this opportunity to join Coach KP's staff. To echo what Coach KP said in his press conference, it is an opportunity to come home and do something special in a community that we hold so dear to our hearts. We will dedicate ourselves day-in and day-out to our players and the Louisville Basketball community."
“according to an article on gocards.com”
Though,
Kenny Payne, Nolan Smith weren’t the only ones to say something about Nolan Smith joining the Louisville coaching staff as Nolan Smith’s former Duke Men’s Basketball teammate now the Head Coach of Duke Jon Scheyer had this to say about Nolan Smith joining Kenny Payne’s coaching staff!
This is an incredible opportunity for Nolan to return to Louisville and continue his father’s extraordinary legacy. But for me it is bittersweet . Nolan’s contributions at Duke cannot be understated and I will treasure the memories made together as friends, teammates and coaches over the last 15 years. No matter where he is , he will always be an important member of the Brotherhood . Congratulations to Nolan , his wife Cheyna and the rest of the Smith family.
“according to https://twitter.com/DukeMBB