SMSU Athletics

Nick Smith completed his 11th season as an assistant coach in 2024-25 and seventh as full-time assistant. He was named associate head coach in the summer of 2021.

During the past nine seasons (2016-25), SMSU has recorded more than 140 victories, won a share of the 2024-25 NSIC championships, won a pair of NSIC South Division championships, appeared in four NCAA tournaments and played in three NSIC tournament championship games with one title.

SMSU won a share of the NSIC regular season championship in 2024-25, recording just the third league championship in program history. The Mustangs advanced to the NCAA tournament for the second straight season earning the No. 6 seed. SMSU spent eight weeks ranked in the NABC Top 25, including as high as No. 13 on Jan. 28. SMSU closed NSIC play ranking first in the league in scoring defense (66.0) and field goal pct. defense (41.5).

In 2023-24, SMSU returned to the NCAA tournament, winning 19 games and finishing fifth in the NSIC regular season. SMSU closed the season ranking first in the NSIC in scoring defense (68.0), first in field goal pct. defense (39.7), while also ranking first in field goal pct. (48.6). SMSU entered the NCAA tournament with the second toughest schedule in Division II, while playing 10 teams ranked among the Top 25, including three No. 1 teams. SMSU defeated No. 1 Northwest Missouri State, earning the program's first-ever win over a top-ranked squad.

During the 2017-18 season, the Mustangs finished 25-9, won the NSIC South Division title and advanced to the championship game of the NSIC Tournament. SMSU earned its second straight trip to the NCAA tournament before losing in the region semifinals.

In 2016-17, SMSU had one of its best seasons in school history, tying a school record with 28 victories, while capturing the NSIC South Division and NSIC tournament championships. SMSU also advanced to the NCAA tournament for the fourth time in school history, before losing to eventual national champion Northwest Missouri State in the region championship.
 
Prior to joining the coaching staff, Smith completed a standout four-year playing career at SMSU (2010-14) and ranks as one of the best players in program history. Smith closed his career appearing in 117 games with 101 starts and was a member of SMSU’s 2012 NSIC tournament championship team and NCAA tournament team. His name is all over the program record book, as he closed his career ranking first in career blocked shots (174), fourth in field goal pct. (54.4), fifth in rebounds (712), ninth in field goals made (481) and 10^th in points (1,192).
 
Smith, a two-time All-NSIC second team honoree, was also named CoSIDA Academic All-District in 2014 and was twice named SMSU’s Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
 
Smith is a 2014 graduate of SMSU with a degree in sports management and finance. He earned his master’s degree in business administration at SMSU in 2016.

Nick and his wife, Bree, live in Marshall with their sons, Cashton and Crew, and daughter, Carsyn.