Nate D. Smith has been named the new head coach of the Mary Baldwin University (MBU) men's basketball program. A graduate of Sacramento State, Smith previously served as an assistant and associate head coach at Oberlin College, turning around a struggling program into a winning team over three consecutive seasons. He intends to build upon the existing success of MBU, which has made the conference playoffs four years in a row and recently won the USA South Conference championship.

By the Numbers
  • At Oberlin, Smith led the team from a 6-19 record to three consecutive winning seasons.
  • During his time at Sacramento State, the team won more Big Sky Tournament games in five seasons than in the previous 18 combined.
Yes, But

While Smith's track record at Oberlin is impressive, the transition to MBU could present challenges as he adapts to a new team and develops a winning culture within the program.

State of Play
  • MBU's men's basketball team recently won the USA South Conference regular season and post-season championship.
  • The Fighting Squirrels have qualified for the conference playoffs for four consecutive seasons and return most of their roster from the previous year.
What's Next

Smith aims to leverage his successful coaching strategies to elevate MBU's basketball program further, potentially competing for additional championships in the upcoming season.

Bottom Line

Nate Smith's hiring signals a focused effort to enhance MBU's men's basketball program, building on their recent successes while aiming for championship aspirations in the future.