Former Redhawks track standout to become assistant coach at Southeast

One of Southeast Missouri State's all-time greatest athletes has returned to his alma mater as a coach.

Miles Smith, a former world-class 400-meter runner who had been competing professionally since finishing his collegiate eligibility in 2008, has been hired as an assistant for the university's track and field program.

Smith, who retired from the pro ranks late last summer, will coach Southeast's sprinters. He spent last season as a volunteer assistant coach at Tennessee State.

"I'm definitely excited. It's familiar territory, a place where I'm definitely in my element," said the 28-year-old Smith, who earned a bachelor of science degree in mass communications from Southeast in 2008. "This is the place that allowed me to blossom as an athlete and as a student. I'm looking forward to blossoming as a coach."

Smith said he also is looking forward to passing on what he learned during his brilliant collegiate and international career to the athletes he'll coach.

"I know how to win, how to train hard, how to train smart. All the experiences I've learned, especially on the international level, you can't teach that with a book," Smith said. "I'm more than happy and eager to pass it along, not only to my athletes but to the others on the coaching staff."

Smith, a St. Louis native who attended Riverview Gardens High School, was a five-time All-American at Southeast. He was named the Ohio Valley Conference's male track athlete of the year four times and still owns Southeast school records in the indoor 200 meters, the indoor and outdoor 400 meters and the indoor and outdoor 1,600 relay.

Southeast enjoyed tremendous team success with Smith, winning OVC outdoor championships in 2005, 2006 and 2008. He won seven individual OVC titles.

Smith also made his mark internationally. He won a gold medal as a member of the USA's 1,600-meter relay team at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki. He was sixth in the 400 in both the 2005 and 2011 USA Championships while placing eighth in the 2009 national event.

Smith placed himself among the contenders for a 400-meter berth in both the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics but fell short. He was 12th in the 2008 Olympic Trials and 13th in the 2012 Olympic Trials.

"I have no regrets. I had a really good experience, successful experiences, which allowed me to travel the world and do what I love," Smith said about his international and pro careers. "It's something I wanted to do since I was a little boy. SEMO was a vehicle to help me get to that level. It's only right I give back to SEMO."

Smith, who was recruited by and coached by former longtime Southeast coach Joey Haines -- Smith credits Haines for much of his development -- is also familiar with current Southeast coach Eric Crumpecker, who was an assistant for the Redhawks while Smith competed there.

"Me and Eric, we had amazing chemistry. He saw everything I did as a student-athlete on and off the track. There are no secrets," Smith said with a laugh. "We've always had a great relationship. I think that works for really good chemistry."

Crumpecker couldn't be more pleased to have Smith on staff.

"I'm thrilled to get Miles back here. Any time we can bring someone back who did the things he did as an athlete here is huge," Crumpecker said. "He is one of the most, if not the most, decorated track and field athletes in the history of the school. Having him work with our sprinters will be great. I look forward to seeing what he does with them."

Smith is married to a fellow Southeast graduate, Bridget, who works as a registered nurse. They have a son Kyle, 5.

"My whole family is glad to be back in Cape Girardeau," Smith said.

In addition to Smith, the Redhawks have also added Sharoyah Davis as a graduate assistant for both the cross country and track and field programs. Davis competed for the Redhawks from 2009 through 2012.