Coach with Saratoga Connections Hired to Lead Siena Men’s Basketball Team

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Nevada Smith, Siena University’s new men’s head basketball coach, appears to be fond of the Spa City.

According to the Times Union, Smith lived in Saratoga Springs for a time while coaching in the NBA’s G League (Smith also lists Saratoga as his current location on his LinkedIn page). Smith and his wife Lindsay celebrated their wedding at both St. Mary’s Church in Ballston Spa and the Saratoga National Golf Club. A Jan. 2024 article about Smith on Paint Touches, a Marquette basketball website, stated that Smith would “eventually love to find a spot somewhere in Saratoga Springs, where he spends time in the offseason, getting to simply be dad and husband.”

Smith was recently appointed the 20th head coach in Siena men’s basketball history after the previous head coach, Gerry McNamara, left Siena for Syracuse University. Last month, McNamara led the Saints to their first NCAA Division 1 “March Madness” appearance in 16 years. The No. 16 seed Siena were ousted by the No. 1 Duke in the first round of the tournament.

Smith was formally introduced at a press conference on April 7 in the MVP Arena atrium. He mentioned his time living in Saratoga. He also mentioned marrying his wife in Ballston Spa eight years ago before being corrected (apparently, it was closer to nine years ago). “It’s gonna be nine,” he said at the presser, to laughter from the audience.

“My family and I could not be more excited to arrive in the Capital Region and become a part of the Siena community,” Smith said in a statement. “I am honored and humbled to be able to lead this program, and build upon the momentum created by Gerry McNamara, his staff, and the great players who have proudly worn the Siena jersey throughout the years.”

The 45-year-old Smith has more than 22 years of coaching experience on his resume, with stints at both the collegiate and professional levels. He previously served, for eight seasons, as a head coach in the G League and at the NCAA Division III level. He spent the past six seasons working on staff at both Marquette (2021-26) and Texas (2020-21).