Coach Lamont Smith resigns

Following his arrest on three domestic violence-related charges, the third-year head coach steps down

Anderson Haigler | Sports Editor | The USD Vista

Ten days after his arrest in San Francisco on three domestic violence-related charges, the University of San Diego’s men’s basketball head coach Lamont Smith resigned. Smith, who was in his third year as coach, released a statement last Thursday that cited a desire to “ensure that USD and the team be able to move forward without any distractions” as a factor in his resignation. His stepping down came just one day after the San Francisco County District Attorney’s Office announced that they would not be filing charges against him due to a lack of evidence. 

Smith was arrested Feb. 25 following the team’s final game of the regular season at the University of San Francisco. Police were dispatched to the team hotel after reports of a domestic violence incident. Smith was subsequently arrested, and charged with domestic violence, assault with force likely to commit great bodily harm, and false imprisonment. The same night, he was released on $115,000 bail. Immediately following his arrest, Smith was placed on administrative leave by USD, and an independent investigation into the incident was launched by the university. Eight days later, the charges were dropped by the District Attorney’s office, and Smith was cleared of wrongdoing. 

Though Smith was not charged with any crimes, the USD investigation regarding the incident and its findings remains unknown. USD Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Athletics Bill McGillis declined to comment on any facet of the investigation, as well as whether its findings were a factor in Smith’s resignation.

“Investigations into university personnel are confidential,” McGillis said. “I’m not going to discuss any aspect of (the investigation).”

Regardless, McGillis stated that Smith’s resignation was his own choice. 

Smith’s arrest follows one of the most successful USD men’s basketball seasons of the last decade. In what turned out to be his final season as head coach, he led the team to a 18-12 (9-9 WCC) record. With a young core of players, and only one graduating senior, it’s clear that he built a solid foundation that set the Toreros up well for the future. Whether USD will be able to continue their momentum in his absence, however, remains to be seen. Directly after Smith’s resignation, McGillis began a search for Smith’s successor. According to McGillis, he is looking for a candidate capable of taking advantage of the talent that USD already has within the program.

“I think that we have a great foundation in place,” McGillis said. “We have an excellent team, talented players, great character, on that roster. And we need to build on where we are right now. I think we’re very well positioned for next year, and well positioned for beyond. I’m interested in hiring a head coach who can take this group of young men and lead us to championship success, and build a program that will be strong for the next decade.”

However, McGillis said there is not a certain type of coach or any level of coaching pedigree he is looking for in his search.

“It’s a wide-open search that’s not limited by number and not limited by profile,” McGillis said. “In other words, I’m not, you know, committed to a certain kind of candidate in terms of background. I am committed to finding a candidate whose values, whose integrity match the University of San Diego’s, and who will be a great fit at our university in that regard. Someone who will be committed to the academic success of our student-athletes, who’s interested in the long-term welfare of our players, who will represent the university with class, and who will be excellent from a teaching, game preparation, and an ‘x and o’ perspective. We’ll do a national search, and we’ll identify the very best person possible to lead our program.”

McGillis also added that  he expects to hire a  new head coach  within the next two to three weeks.

Current acting head coach Sam Scholl, who played basketball at USD with Smith during the 1999-2000 season, will most likely apply for the head coaching position, and McGillis said that he will be considered for the job. 

“I believe he will apply for the job, he has expressed interest, and he will be a very solid candidate for the position,” McGillis said. 

In the meantime, Scholl will continue coaching the Toreros as they begin play in the College Insider.com Tournament. 

Smith’s resignation marks the end of a series of events that placed USD in the national spotlight for all of the wrong reasons. Guilty or not, Smith’s arrest, and the ensuing controversy had a marked effect on both the team’s coaches and players, as well as on the national perception of the program. However, his departure from USD appeared to be amicable, and by stepping down, Smith offers the Toreros a chance to turn the page and continue moving in the right direction. 

The Toreros take on the Portland State University  Vikings in the second round  of the CollegeInsider.com  Postseason Tournament (CIT) this Saturday night at  7 p.m. in the Jenny Craig Pavilion.