Santa Clara University

Mitch Smith is entering his second season as an assistant coach on Herb Sendek's staff in 2025-26. Originally hired on July 1, 2025, he is entering his fourth season with the program as a whole having spent two years as a graduate assistant prior to being hired in a full-time capacity. 

In his first season as assistant coach, Smith helped guide the Broncos to one of their most successful campaigns in program history in 2025-26. SCU put together a 26-8 overall record, including a 15-3 mark in WCC play, en route to the program's first appearance in the WCC Championship Tournament Final since 2007 and their first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 1996. Redshirt freshman Allen Graves was selected 19th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, giving the Broncos their third first round selection over the last five years. 

A native of Lafayette, Calif., Smith was a graduate assistant for the Broncos in both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. Prior to his time with Santa Clara, he was a student manager at Cal for two seasons under head coach Mark Fox and staff. 

Smith also served as a player development coach for Unlimited Potential Basketball under professional skills trainer Packie Turner from 2022-24. 

Smith earned his Master's in Educational Leadership from Santa Clara in 2025. Prior to that, he attended Acalanes High School and graduated in 2018, and then made his way to Diablo Valley where he earned his associate's degree in economics in 2020. Smith then transferred to Cal where he earned his bachelor's degree in environmental economics and policy in 2022.