Roger Smith begins his sixth season as the Griffons' associate head coach.
The 2016-17 season saw coach Smith help Missouri Western win at least 20 games for back-to-back seasons for the first time in 12 years and clinch a bye in the first round of the MIAA tournament. The Griffons went 3-2 against ranked teams and had three players named All-MIAA, led by Chelsea Dewey's first team nod. All five starters experienced the most productive seasons of their careers in 2016-17, averaging a total of 22.7 more points per game than the five had averaged the previous season. Defensively, Smith assisted Rob Edmission to limiting opponents to just 58.6 points a game and leading the MIAA in turnover margin and steals.
Smith helped lead the Griffons to the MIAA Regular Season Championship in 2016, a season that saw the program's first NCAA Central Regional appearance since 2004. Four Griffons were named All-MIAA in addition to LaQuinta Jefferson being named to two All-American teams and the MIAA Player of the Year. Smith assisted a team that won its first 18 games and broke an MIAA record by winning 20 conference games.
In 2014-15, Smith helped the Griffons to an overall record of 15-12 and 9-10 MIAA record. The Griffons finished 7th in the MIAA and lost in the second round of the MIAA tournament to Emporia St. Edmisson coached first team All-MIAA performer LaQuinta Jefferson and honorable-mention All-MIAA performer Sarafina Handy. Alex Saxen, Tiara Hall, Krysten Crawford, and Arianna Novak all were named to the All-MIAA Academic Honor Roll.
In 2013-14 he helped coached two All-MIAA performers as Tiffanie Abrams was an All-MIAA Defensive Team selection while Quenisha Lockett was an honorable mention All-MIAA selection. He also had three players named to the All-MIAA Academic Honor Roll. Those player were Alex Saxen, Tiffanie Abrams and Cassey Sobaski.
In 2012-2013 he helped the Griffons to a 16-12 overall record and 8-10 MIAA record. He helped coach second team All-MIAA selection Heather Howard and honorable mention All-MIAA selection Alicia Bell. He helped guide the Griffons to an MIAA Tournament victory on March 5 by a score of 71-67 over Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan.
Smith served as Oklahoma City’s video coordinator, managed a large part of scouting and assisted in daily practices. During his one season at OCU the Stars went 35-1 winning the 2011-2012 NAIA National Championship.
Previously, Smith spent a season as assistant coach for the OCU men’s basketball program in 2009-2010. The Stars went 17-10, finished third place in the Sooner Athletic Conference and advanced to the NAIA Division I Tournament.
Smith has experience coaching in the Oklahoma City area on the high-school level, winning a state championship while on the staff at Putnam City High School. Roger served as the head coach at Casady School (2008-2009) and Little Axe High School (2005-2006). While on the staff at John Marshall High School (2007-2008) the team made it to the state semifinals and was on the staff at Okarche High School, which made the state tournament in 2010-2011.
Roger has been married for 18 years (Cristina) and has three children – Isabella, Griffin and Price.
