Coach Tom Smith's career

The Start

Aug 1, 1975

Smith got his first head coaching job at Central Missouri University in Warrensburg.

Coach of the year

Mar 15, 1980

Smith's coach the 1979-80 Mules to a 26-2 record. Smith was named Coach of the Year honors in NCAA District V and the MIAA that season. His team was ranked at the top of Division II for nine weeks that season.

Smith takes over at his alma matter

Aug 1, 1980

After coaching five seasons at Central Missorui with a record of 86-46, Smith took the leap to Division I to coach at Valporaiso -- the place where he played college basketball

Smith comes to Western

Apr 18, 1988

Smith left Valporaiso after coaching them to a 84-138 record and their first conference tournament win ever over eight seasons, He returned to Missouri and was hired as the head coach at Missouri Western.

First career win at Western

Nov 1, 1988

MWSU 88 Park 55

200 wins

Jan 3, 1990

Smith won career game No. 200 with a four point victory over Washburn in Topeka, Kan.

Postseason Success

Mar 1, 1990

Smith's Griffons won their first MIAA Tournament Championship with a three point victory over Central Missouri. They advanced to the NCAA Tournament and won their first ever game there with a two point victory over West Texas A&M.

300 wins

Nov 5, 1994

Smith earns career victory 300 after the Griffons blew out Evangel 97-69

MIAA Tournament Champions

Mar 3, 1995

Smith was crowned MIAA Champion for the second time with the Griffons decisive victory over Washburn in the tournament finals.

Western All-Time wins leader

Feb 18, 1998

Smith became the all-time wins leader at Missouri Western after a 29 point victory against Emporia State at the MWSU Fieldhouse.

3 Time MIAA Tournament Champs

Feb 28, 1998

The Griffons won their third MIAA conference tournament championship under Smith with a 13-point win over rival Northwest Missouri.

Win No. 400

Jan 30, 1999

Smith gets win No. 400 after defeating Truman State by 24 points at the MWSU Fieldhouse.

Four-time champions

Mar 18, 2003

The Griffons won the MIAA Conference championship for the fourth time under Smith by defeating Washburn 75-65. It was the first time the event was ever held in Kansas City, where it continues today.

500 wins

Feb 7, 2004

Coach Smith reached the 500 wins mark after his team blew out Southwest Baptist by 30 points.

600 career wins

Nov 13, 2011

Smith won career game No. 600 and became part of an elite group of only 61 coaches at any level to ever win as many games.

The End

Mar 4, 2013

Coach Smith coaches his last game in a MIAA Tournament loss after a career that spanned over 38-years.