New coach promises quick tempo, playoffs

B.J. Smith said being a Division I basketball coach was never really a goal of his.

"I just wanted to be a coach, period," he said.

But Smith will get his chance to lead a program on the NCAA's highest level. He was introduced Monday afternoon as Southeast Missouri State University's new head women's basketball coach, replacing Ed Arnzen, who retired this year after 19 seasons.

"I'm excited. I can't tell you how excited I am," Smith said. "I think we're going to put a great basketball team on the floor next year. Our goal is to have a bracket-watching party next March."

Smith, 37, was selected from among three finalists that included Southeast assistant coach Alan Eads and Missouri Western coach David Slifer.

Smith has never been a head coach at higher than the junior college level, but Southeast athletic director Don Kaverman, who headed the search committee, said that wasn't an issue.

"We had three outstanding finalists but we just felt B.J. Smith represented the best chance to take our program to the next level," Kaverman said. "He has tremendous enthusiasm, a lot of confidence. He has tremendous recruiting connections. He has an outstanding record and his student-athletes all graduate."

Kaverman said Smith received a three-year contract worth $60,000 per year.

Smith's teams at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College went 98-7 the last three seasons and never ranked lower than fourth nationally among junior colleges. His squads never had lower than a 3.1 grade-point average and all of his players graduated or are on schedule to graduate.

This year's Northeastern Oklahoma A&M team finished 35-1, with the loss Saturday night to Seward County, Kan., in the national championship game.

Smith's team led the nation in scoring at 95 points per game this season. He promised a similar up-temo, fan-friendly style at Southeast.

"We're going to play man-to-man defense. We're going to pick up the other team defensively as soon as their bus pulls off the interstate," he said. "We're also going to press a lot and push the ball up and down the floor. We're going to play an exciting brand of basketball."

The Otahkians went 16-12 this year and finished fifth in the Ohio Valley Conference. They have been solid but not spectacular since moving to Division I 11 years ago.

"I think the program is in good shape," Smith said. "But I think it's ready to take off and be very successful at the Division I level.

Southeast will return all but two of its key players next season and the Otahkians have six available scholarships. Smith said he likes the talent on hand but needs to add to that considerably. The spring signing period begins April 10.

When Smith was in town earlier this month for a day-long series of interviews, he said he could bring several of his top players from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M to Southeast.

Now that Smith is the Otahkians' coach, he is prohibited by NCAA guidelines from commenting on recruits until they actually sign. But he said, "With my junior college connections, I feel like I have a leg up on recruiting."

Smith said he planned to meet with the returning players individually today after having already met with them as a group during his earlier visit to campus, then he'll hit the recruiting trail as soon as possible.

"I know it's going to take a lot of hard work, but I think this job is an excellent fit for me," he said. "We have great facilities, Cape Girardeau is a great town and things are in place for us to be successful. I'm ready to get going."

mmishow@semissourian.com

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