Villa Maria College is proud to announce that Jonathan Smith has been hired as the next Men’s Basketball Head Coach. Smith takes over a Vikings program that went 22-8 overall and finished runner-up in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) National Championship.
“It’s an exciting time to be a Villa Viking, and I am incredibly humbled to be leading this program,” said Smith. “Throughout the course of my playing and coaching career, I’ve had the opportunity to learn and understand what our student-athletes need to not only be successful on the court, but in the classroom and community.”
“Coach Smith brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to lead Villa,” added Director of Athletics Christopher Heximer. “As an educational and athletics leader, Coach Smith will build upon our foundation and elevate our student-athletes and program to new heights.”
For the past year, Smith has been the Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at D’Youville College, working closely with the coaching staff and administration to recruit and develop student-athletes in the school’s transition to a Division II program.
A former student-athlete, Smith played college basketball at Medaille University. He finished his career as the Mavericks’ all-time leading rebounder and 8th all-time in scoring. Smith, who led the Mavericks to the NCAA Division III Tournament his freshman year, is also 5th all-time in field goals, 7th all-time in games played, and earned All-Conference honors competing in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.
Since his playing days, Smith has worked extensively in coaching and player development. He spent seven summers (2017-2023) as the Assistant Basketball Director at Daemen University for the program’s MacDonald Basketball Academy and as the Director of Player Development at D’Youville (2022). Smith spent part of his summers in Maryland as a basketball instructor at the nationally recognized Coach Wootten’s Basketball Camp.
“The coaches I’ve learned from and the knowledge I’ve gained both as a player and coach have provided an incredible foundation in understanding what it takes to build a program and develop student-athletes,” said Smith. “Our culture and expectations will exemplify what it means to be a Villa Viking and a member of the Western New York Community – tough, resilient, and hardworking.”
Smith is currently the Dean of Students in the city of Buffalo. In his educational career, he has taught health, physical education, and history. A native of Accokeek, Maryland, Smith played high school basketball at Clarion Area Senior High School (PA) and graduated from Medaille University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.
