Dublin picks a former leader on the court to be one off the court, approves Ben Smith as boys basketball coach

By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

          The Dublin City Schools Board of Education approved former Irish basketball standout Ben Smith as the program’s new head coach on Monday night.

          The move came less than two weeks after the school and Paul Williams parted ways.

          Smith was a major player for the Irish, leading Dublin to the GHSA Class AA state title in 2006 as one of the top players in the state.

          He went on to an equally successful career at Jacksonville University in the Atlantic Sun Conference, entering that school’s Hall of Fame in 2016.

          After his college career ended, he began an international professional career that ended only a few months ago. While living in Jacksonville, Smith returned to his hometown of Dublin every summer for camps of some sort.

          Smith posted his thoughts on his Facebook page – which was flooded with congratulations - soon after the vote:

          “First, thanks to everyone who wished me congratulations. The love is beyond dope. I’m excited to be back in my city, at my alma mater and coaching the basketball program that I helped reach never before seen levels of success.

          “I was hesitant when I first heard about the position being open but the more I thought about it and mentioned it to my close friends and family and heard the excitement in their voice of the potential of me returning as head coach of the boys basketball team it became apparent that this is where I needed to be.

          “The common theme I kept telling myself and hearing from them was “this is bigger than you”… It would mean so much to a lot of people. I know how it feels as a young kid to have a dream and see it manifest in front of you and it’s better than you ever imagined.

          “I want to be here to help our kids achieve that feeling. As a player, I was tough, smart, relentless, and was at my best when facing adversity. I learned these qualities from playing ball in our city. My vision is for our team to display those same qualities. I say our, because we are a representation of the city. I want you guys to see a program that you can be proud of every time we take the floor.

          “This will be a process but what I can guarantee is that it will be a relentless pursuit in trying to have the best team and making these young men the best version of themselves, on and off the court!

          “It’s going to take an extreme amount of Hard work but we wouldn’t have it any other way. Let’s get it!”