Otahks coach keeps busy two weeks into new job

B.J. Smith hasn't really had time to settle into his office yet.

Not that it matters.

"I've got a phone and phone numbers. That's the most important thing," Smith said with a laugh.

Smith has been working the telephone feverishly because the spring signing period begins Wednesday and Southeast Missouri State University's new women's basketball coach is trying to make up ground after being hired two weeks ago.

"I'm trying to do 1 1/2 years of recruiting in 10 days," he said.

Smith, who came to Southeast after going 98-7 the last three years at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College -- including a second-place finish in this year's national junior college tournament -- officially marked two weeks on the job Monday.

With the early part of this week designated as a 'dead' period for recruiting -- coaches are not allowed to contact prospects for a few days -- Smith, 37, took time out to discuss a variety of subjects during his early, hectic days at Southeast.

His thoughts:

ON THE JOB: "It's been a whirlwind," he said. "I think I've spent 90 percent of my time recruiting and 10 percent filling out paperwork for the job. But I'm really enjoying it and I'm really excited. My dream was not to be a Division I coach but just to be a basketball coach. But I'm really excited to be here and I think this program just has so much potential."

ON CAPE GIRARDEAU: "It's been great," he said. "The people here are very similar to the people in Oklahoma, very genuine. I'm a small-town guy. There might be a few too many stoplights here, but this is perfect for me. I haven't really been able to get out into the community much yet, but since this is a dead period, I hope to do that."

ON FAMILY: Smith's wife, Mauricha, and son, Isaiah, 5, remain in Miami, Okla., although they did visit over the weekend. "She's selling our house. She gets to do the fun stuff," Smith said, smiling. "It's tough not having my family with me, but I'm so busy right now, I only got to see them for a couple of hours over the weekend anyway."

ON ACCOMODATIONS: Until his wife and son are able to move to Cape Girardeau -- which he hopes will be soon -- Smith has been staying at a university-owned furnished house on campus.

"It's nice, but all I need is a place to sleep and take a shower," he said. "We eventually want to get a house, but right now the most important thing for me is making sure our level of commitment is what it needs to be in our program and to recruit players with that level of commitment."

ON HIS TEAM: "I've been excited about what their mentality has been," he said. "Change is hard, but I think they've been great."

ON HIS STAFF: Smith hired Rick Karr, who worked with Smith at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M and other places, as his top assist and retained Lisa Pace and Tameka Randle from retired coach Ed Arnzen's staff.

"I'm pleased with the way that worked out," Smith said. "I've known Rick for a long time. I feel really comfortable with him. And I got lucky with Lisa and Tameka. They are both really talented and motivated. It will make the transition a lot smoother."

ON ATTENDANCE: Smith said the Otahkians' style will make fans want to watch. His teams at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M averaged more than 90 points per game and he promises to institute that same up-tempo style at Southeast.

"This is going to be different. It's going to be fun to watch, something you don't see that much," he said. "If we can get people to come see us, they'll come back. We'll have 15 warriors."

mmishow@semissourian.com

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