Palo Alto, California – After an impressive run at Washington State, Kyle Smith is set to take on a new challenge as the head coach at Stanford University. Sources confirmed that Smith, who was named the 2024 Pac-12 Coach of the Year, has accepted the coaching position at Stanford, following a remarkable season with the Cougars in leading them to their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2008.
Under Smith’s guidance, Washington State finished the season with a 25-10 record, including a 14-6 performance in the Pac-12 conference. The team’s success was highlighted by a key victory over Arizona, where they briefly held the top spot in the Pac-12 standings for the first time in decades. This culminated in a 7th seed in the NCAA tournament, where they secured a first-round win against Drake.
Despite their promising season, the Cougars’ journey in the tournament came to an end with a loss to Iowa State. Smith, who spent five seasons at Washington State, consistently maintained a winning record in the competitive Pac-12 conference during his tenure.
Before his successful stint at Washington State, Smith enjoyed coaching success at San Francisco and Columbia, where he demonstrated his ability to build winning programs. His diverse coaching background includes assistant coaching roles at various universities like San Diego, Air Force, and Saint Mary’s.
At Stanford, Smith steps into the shoes of Jerod Haase, who was relieved of his coaching duties after a disappointing eight-season tenure that failed to secure an NCAA tournament appearance. The Cardinal community is hopeful that Smith will bring fresh energy and a winning culture to the basketball program as it transitions to the ACC conference. Joining teams like Cal and SMU, Stanford is poised for a new chapter under Smith’s leadership.