Smith began his coaching career at Kent State University in 1984, earning a master's degree in Sport's Administration in 1986.
He returned to Ann Arbor in July 2019, accepting a role as director of player personnel and development, joining first-year head coach Juwan Howard's staff.
[6] Smith helped recruit Howard and the rest of the Fab Five, a group of five freshmen that led Michigan to appearances in the 1992 and 1993 NCAA Championship games.
Smith returned to the assistant coaching ranks in 2008, joining Ray McCallum's staff at the University of Detroit Mercy,[7] where he spent eight seasons.
In 2024, Smith accepted a role within Stan Heath's staff as Director of Player Development at Eastern Michigan University.
Smith shocked the CMU community in May 2006, when he abruptly resigned as head coach, citing a desire to spend more time with his family.
He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in June 2018 and underwent successful surgery in September 2018 and managed to coach the full season.