University of West Florida officials issued a press release Tuesday, April 7, announcing Tanner Smith as the new men’s head basketball coach. The press release details Coach Smith’s basketball career.
On Wednesday, April 8, the university held a press conference at the Argonaut Athletic Club to introduce Smith to the campus and the Pensacola community.
UWF President Manny Diaz Jr. and Associate Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dave Scott introduced Smith, the sixth head coach in the program’s history. During the press conference, Scott noted that Smith was selected from a pool of 400 applicants.
Smith delivered an emotional speech, offering thanks to his family and mentors. A full transcript of his remarks is available at Local Pulse Pensacola.
Stephanie Yelton, UWF women’s head basketball coach, expressed enthusiasm for the hire and the university’s future.
“I am super excited with the direction our university is going,” Yelton said. “This is just the next natural progression for our university moving into Division I. I’m excited about Coach Smith and his philosophy to lead. It’s really great to have a leader who can help catapult basketball in our community, as well as our region and nation.”
