New Decatur basketball coach introduces himself to parents
Posted on Thursday, September 4, 2008
DECATUR ó Recently-hired head basketball coach Donny Smith introduced himself to parents at an Aug. 25 meeting.
Smith will have a full schedule this year, coaching all the boysí and girlsí basketball teams for seventh through 12 th grades and teaching three physical education classes.
He brings a total of eight years coaching experience to Decatur and has served Lincoln High School as assistant head coach for the past two years.
After years of coaching his childrenís teams and coaching competitive leagues like the Maybe League, Smith decided to take his love of sports and basketball into his professional life.
ì I can do basketball year round, î he said.
Smith graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2006 with a bachelorís degree in history and a coaching endorsement.
ì What a better way to make a living than get paid and do something you really like to do ! î Smith said.
Smith came to Decatur in early August after visiting with principal and athletic director Bobby King. Smith was enticed by the opportunity to gain experience as a head coach and said he wanted to help out the basketball program.
When it comes to coaching, Smith said he tries to make sure his players have good solid fundamentals to build upon.
ì I have an open-door policy, î he told parents, encouraging them to come to him if they have any problems that need to be resolved.
This year he hopes to improve the girlsí standings over last year. Smith said he has a great group senior high girls that have a great chance to be very competitive and successful this season.
Although Smith hasnít got a good look at the boys yet because most of them are in football practice, he said there are good athletes in the group and he thinks there will be strong team.
The boysí team lost some if its most experienced players, like Clinton Thompson and Ethan Holly, to graduation, but Smith said he feels the underclassmen will step up to the challenge.
Since Smith was hired right before school started, his family is still living in Lincoln. He hopes that by next year they will be able to move to Decatur. This will give his oldest son, a senior at Lincoln High School, a chance to graduate before his family moves.
Smith also has a daughter in sixth grade and a son in second grade. His wife of 18 years works at Washington Regional Medical Center as a nurse.
ì Iím excited to be here, to have the opportunity to be here and coach this great group of kids, î Smith said. ì It seems like a great community to be a part of, with lots of support. If you need anything, you can call somebody and theyíll help you out any way they can. î
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