Peru State has hired Jason Smith to take over the Peru State women's basketball program effective immediately.
Coach Smith spent ten seasons at Bryan College in Dayton, Tenn., he was at the program from 2011-2021, where he rebuilt the program into a perennial NAIA powerhouse. Smith was 219-85 overall at Bryan College winning at a 72% clip, Smith is the all-time winningest coach at Bryan College.
Coach Smith had a 157-49 conference record winning at 76.2% clip including a stretch of 70 consecutive wins vs. conference opponents, five Appalachian Athletic Conference Regular Season Titles 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, four AAC Conference Tournament Titles 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021, six NAIA DII National Tournament Appearances (five in a row), seven 20+ win seasons out of nine and nine seasons above .500.
Coach Smith won the 2017 AAC Coach of Character Award and was a three-time AAC Coach of the Year 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Smith had 78 wins in the last two seasons going 26-0, 24-0 and 14-0 in conference play along with a 30-game winning streak.
In his last 12 semesters at Bryan College, Coach Smith has had the team achieve at least a 3.4 GPA.
Coach Smith was most recently NCAA DII Cedarville from 2021-23, where he posted a 24-31 record. Smith's program led the nation at all levels in free throw percentage 83.8% during the 2022-23
Smith has earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Calvary Bible College in Kansas City, Mo.
Smith got his coaching career started at the University of Kansas as the Varsity Manager and Film Technician for the legendary coach Roy Williams from 1989-91 and was a part of the 1991 Final Four Team that finished as the National Runner-Up.
Here's what athletic director Kyle Pond had to say about the hire:
"From the start our hiring committee had the mentality of hiring a top tier coach to lead and transform this program," said Pond.
Pond continued…
"We believe that our new facilities and scholarships are primed for success, and we wanted a championship coach to help bring this to reality. We are proud to add Jason and his successful track record to the bobcat family. There is no doubt that he has the vision and caliber to take us to the top. These are exciting times for Peru State athletics, and we are eager to welcome Jason and his family to Peru!"
Here's what coach Smith had to say about getting started at Peru State:
"First of all I am very thankful and honored to be the head women's basketball coach at Peru State. Second, I want to thank Kyle Pond and the administration at Peru State for this great opportunity," said Smith.
Smith continued…
"My family and I are really excited to be moving back to the Midwest and to be closer to family. I look forward to hit the ground running to tirelessly work every day in building a championship caliber program while developing great teammates and leaders."
Peru State women's basketball opens the 2023-24 season at Haskell Indian Nations University, on Wednesday, November 1, in Lawrence, Kan., tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m.
