A former Clemson men’s basketball standout has landed his first head coaching job.

Tanner Smith has been hired as the men’s basketball head coach for the University of West Florida, the school announced Tuesday.

Smith, 36, has spent the last two seasons as the associate head coach at Appalachian State. He began his coaching career at Charlotte, where he was the director of basketball operations (2014-17) and then an assistant coach (2017-18).

In addition to App State and Charlotte, Smith has also had coaching stints at Mississippi State (director of men’s basketball operations; 2018-19), Kennesaw State (assistant coach; 2020-21) and Stephen F. Austin (assistant coach; 2021-23).

Smith starred as a guard at Clemson from 2008-12, when he amassed 986 points, 459 rebounds and 320 assists during his four seasons while helping lead the Tigers to three NCAA Tournament appearances.

A 42.9 percent career shooter from the floor, Smith was the first player in Clemson history and the only ACC player in 2012 to average at least 10 points, five rebounds and four assists. Following his career with the Tigers, Smith played two seasons overseas, first with Dutch club Landstede Basketball and then with MHP Risen Ludwigsburg in Germany.

Following is the news release from West Florida on Smith being hired its new men’s basketball head coach:

PENSACOLA, Fla. – The University of West Florida has hired Tanner Smith as its men’s basketball head coach, UWF Associate Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Dave Scott announced Tuesday.

“I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Tanner Smith as our new men’s basketball coach,” Scott said. “We are in a pivotal moment in the history of UWF Athletics and I’m confident Tanner will lead this program to new heights. He’s a high character man who will build lasting relationships with his student-athletes and the community while developing a high-caliber team on the court. It’s an exciting time for Argos basketball.”

Smith arrives in Pensacola after spending the past two seasons at Appalachian State where he served as associate head coach and played a key role in one of the most successful stretches in program history. During his time at App State, Smith helped lead the Mountaineers to 26 conference wins and back-to-back 10-win seasons in Sun Belt play, the program’s first such stretch since 2010–11.

In 2023–24, he was part of a staff that led App State to a program-record 27 wins, an outright regular-season championship and its first National Invitation Tournament appearance since 2006–07.

Smith played a critical role in developing one of the top defenses in the conference, as the Mountaineers led the Sun Belt in scoring defense in each of his two seasons. The team also ranked among the nation’s top 50 in multiple defensive categories, including field goal percentage defense and three-point percentage defense.

“What stood out to me first about the University of West Florida was its people,” said Smith. “The competitive, family-oriented atmosphere that resonates throughout campus is something truly special and not found everywhere. I’m excited to get to work identifying and developing young men who are not only talented players, but outstanding individuals who will represent the Argonaut brand with pride. My family and I are deeply grateful to President Diaz and Athletic Director Dave Scott for the opportunity to lead the historic men’s basketball program at the University of West Florida.”

Smith also played a key role in player development, helping Myles Tate earn All-Sun Belt First Team honors after finishing among the league leaders in scoring, assists and steals.

Prior to his time at App State, Smith spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Stephen F. Austin, where he helped the Lumberjacks capture a regular-season conference championship and rank among the nation’s top teams in turnovers forced, steals and three-point shooting. Smith’s coaching experience also includes stops at Kennesaw State, Mississippi State and Charlotte, where he began his career as director of basketball operations before being promoted to assistant coach.

A former standout guard at Clemson, Smith totaled 986 points, 459 rebounds and 320 assists during his career while helping lead the Tigers to three NCAA Tournament appearances.

Smith earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Clemson University in 2012. He and his wife, Julia, have two children together.

–Photo courtesy of University of West Florida Men’s Basketball