SYLACAUGA, Ala. – A two-time state championship-winning coach and two-time Alabama Sports Writers Association 6A Coach of the Year, Marty Smith will bring his veteran leadership to Sylacauga, as he has been chosen to lead the Aggie men’s basketball program by Sylacauga City Schools on Wednesday.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Smith and his family to Sylacauga,” said SHS principal Gary Rivers. “We took a deep dive into numerous candidates, but at the end of the day it was evident Coach Smith’s veteran leadership and proven track record is what’s best for our men’s basketball program.” Smith’s history as a coach runs 28 years, serving as an assistant and head coach in multiple sports. Smith began his 28-year career in 1994 as an assistant for the University of Alabama at Birmingham women’s basketball program, and most recently has held the reigns as the women’s head coach at Thompson High School in Alabaster (2019-23). Nestled in between those two stops, Smith won two men’s basketball state titles (2002-03, 2003-04) at John Carroll Catholic High School (Birmingham) in what was then the state’s highest classification (6A). To this day, Smith is only one of 10 men’s coaches in the state to go undefeated (36-0). During his run as the men’s coach for John Carroll, Smith compiled a 201-35 record in seven seasons with two state championships, one state runner-up, four regional final appearances, six regional tournament appearances, and reached the sub-state round every season. “Coach Smith is a winner. He has a great passion for basketball and student athletes,” said Chad Wilkinson, director of athletics. “He has won games at many stops, and has done it a lot of different ways. [Marty] has taken over programs in good condition, as ours is, and kept them good, but has also taken over programs that do not have a great basketball history, whether men’s or women’s, and reached a level those programs don’t traditionally reach. We are excited to bring Coach Smith to Sylacauga.”
Smith will also serve as the assistant athletic director for Sylacauga City Schools.
“What an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to work with all sports at Sylacauga as the assistant athletic director. I look forward in helping all the coaches with my prior experiences and helping them continue the athletic success Sylacauga has had over the decades in all sports,” Smith explained. “Also, wow! Having the opportunity to lead the Aggie boy’s basketball program is an honor that I look forward to doing. Basketball has always been something the Aggie Nation has taken pride in. As an outsider looking in, the community has flat out supported their Aggies! I look forward to continuing to build the Aggie legacy during my tenure! Go Aggies!”
“Coach Marty Smith brings a tremendous amount of experience and wisdom to our basketball program and athletic department,” said superintendent Dr. Michele Eller. “His track record on the court speaks for itself. His contagious personality and passion for coaching young people will be a perfect match with our student-athletes.”
Marty has been married for 29 years to his wife, Felicia, who is also an educator. Marty and Felicia have one son, Micah, and one daughter, Beth Allen.For the latest news and updates regarding Sylacauga Men’s Basketball, follow the Aggies on Twitter at @SYL_BKB and on Facebook at Sylacauga High School Basketball. Follow Coach Marty Smith on Twitter at @coachmartysmithSmith Basketball Coaching Career
- 1994-1995: UAB (Women’s basketball assistant)
- 1996-2008: John Carroll Catholic
- Football assistant (1996-2008)
- Soccer assistant/co-head coach (1997, 2003-2008)
- Men’s tennis head coach (1998-2002)
- Women’s basketball head coach (1999-2001)
- Men’s basketball head coach (2001-2008)
- 2008-2009: Clay-Chalkville High School
- Men’s basketball head coach (2008-2009)
- Football assistant (2008)
- Women’s golf head coach (2009)
- 2011-2013: Southside-Gadsden High School
- Athletic director (2011-2013)
- Head football coach (2011-2013)
- Assistant soccer coach (2011-2013)
- Assistant women’s basketball coach (2011-2013)
- 2013-2017: Dallas County High School
- Head football coach (2014-2017)
- Advisor men’s basketball assistant (2013-2017)
- 2017-2019: Lincoln County High School (Tennessee)
- Head basketball coach (2017-2019)
- 2019-2023: Thompson High School
- Head women’s basketball coach
Smith Basketball Quick Hitters
- Two AHSAA basketball state titles in the highest classification
- One of 10 coaches in AHSAA history to go undefeated in men’s basketball
- Averages 19.5 wins per season as basketball coach
- Numerous state titles in multiple sports as an assistant
- Two-time 6A basketball ASWA Coach of the Year honors
- One ASWA overall Coach of the Year honor
- 350 career wins
