Smithson resigns as men's basketball coach at Cowley
March 29, 2005
Looking to return to coaching at the NCAA Division I level, Randy Smithson announced his resignation as Cowley College head men's basketball coach on Monday.
Smithson's resignation ends a four-year run at the school during which the Tigers went 84-46 and finished second to Coffeyville in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division three times.
"I was happy for the opportunity to come back to Cowley and work for Dr. Pat (McAtee) and coach (Tom) Saia," said Smithson, who played basketball at Cowley during the 1978-79 season. "It was a happy reunion coming back, and it's a happy reunion going out."
Prior to coming to Cowley, Smithson spent four seasons at the Division I level as head coach at Wichita State University. The hunger to get back to that level of coaching led to Smithson's decision.
"If I am going to get back to the Division I level, I have got to start moving quickly," Smithson said. "I did my best at Cowley, but I think it would be unfair to go on."
Smithson led Cowley to four consecutive home-court playoff victories and its first four-year run at the Region VI playoffs in Salina. This year's team finished in a tie for third in the Jayhawk East with a record of 21-11 overall and 12-6 in the conference.
"I am happy to be leaving the program in good shape," Smithson said.
Saia knew when he hired Smithson that the coach would some day want another shot at coaching at the Division I level, so his decision to resign did not come as a surprise.
"There is no better junior college coach in the country than Randy Smithson," Saia said. "But I understand his dream of wanting to get back into coaching at the Division I level."
Although Smithson is excited to see what the future holds, he will miss coaching at Cowley.
"I will miss the players, coach (Brian) Jackson, and all the people that I have worked so closely with," Smithson said. "It's been a great run."
The search for a new head coach will begin immediately, Saia said. Those interested should send resumes to Janice Neagle, Director of Human Resources, Cowley College, 125 S. Second St., Arkansas City, KS, 67005.
Smithson's resignation ends a four-year run at the school during which the Tigers went 84-46 and finished second to Coffeyville in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division three times.
"I was happy for the opportunity to come back to Cowley and work for Dr. Pat (McAtee) and coach (Tom) Saia," said Smithson, who played basketball at Cowley during the 1978-79 season. "It was a happy reunion coming back, and it's a happy reunion going out."
Prior to coming to Cowley, Smithson spent four seasons at the Division I level as head coach at Wichita State University. The hunger to get back to that level of coaching led to Smithson's decision.
"If I am going to get back to the Division I level, I have got to start moving quickly," Smithson said. "I did my best at Cowley, but I think it would be unfair to go on."
Smithson led Cowley to four consecutive home-court playoff victories and its first four-year run at the Region VI playoffs in Salina. This year's team finished in a tie for third in the Jayhawk East with a record of 21-11 overall and 12-6 in the conference.
"I am happy to be leaving the program in good shape," Smithson said.
Saia knew when he hired Smithson that the coach would some day want another shot at coaching at the Division I level, so his decision to resign did not come as a surprise.
"There is no better junior college coach in the country than Randy Smithson," Saia said. "But I understand his dream of wanting to get back into coaching at the Division I level."
Although Smithson is excited to see what the future holds, he will miss coaching at Cowley.
"I will miss the players, coach (Brian) Jackson, and all the people that I have worked so closely with," Smithson said. "It's been a great run."
The search for a new head coach will begin immediately, Saia said. Those interested should send resumes to Janice Neagle, Director of Human Resources, Cowley College, 125 S. Second St., Arkansas City, KS, 67005.