Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Men's Basketball Announces Hiring of Aaron Smith as Assistant Coach
9/11/2025 6:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic men's basketball Head Coach John Jakus has announced the hiring of Aaron Smith as an assistant coach.
Smith arrives to Paradise after spending one year at Longwood University. He spent three years with Louisiana Tech in the same role, a team that recorded 20+ wins in back-to-back seasons.
While at Longwood, he was a part of the staff to recruit the best class in program history. He oversaw the academic success of the student-athletes, and the team recorded a 3.26 GPA for the third-highest GPA in school history. Primarily worked with the guards and wings, worked with Colby Garland, Angelo Brizzi, and Kyrell Luc.
At Louisiana Tech, among the players Smith helped coach were Isaiah Crawford, who was voted CUSA Player of the Year and CUSA Defensive Player of the Year, as well as Daniel Batcho, who was selected as the CUSA Newcomer of the Year
Prior to Louisiana Tech, Smith spent seven seasons with head coaching stops at Jacksonville College and Panola College. During his stint, he won two Region XIV South Zone championships, coached two All-Americans, and had 10 First or Second Team All-Region performers.
Smith spent three seasons at the helm at Panola College in Carthage, Texas, leading the Ponies in 2021-22 to a 22-10 overall record while advancing to the Region XIV semifinals. He coached Panola to a 14-7 record in the 2020-21 season and 19-12 in 2019-20, with several appearances in the national rankings.
At Jacksonville College in Jacksonville, Texas, he guided the Jaguars to three 20-win seasons in four years and made two appearances in the Region XIV South Zone Championships, the program's first two since 1989.
A 2008 graduate of Prairie View A&M, Smith played basketball for the Panthers. His career continued as the fourth overall pick in the 2008 CBA Draft, winning the CBA Championship in 2009 as a member of the Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry. He also spent time playing overseas in France and Bulgaria.
Smith earned his Master of Theological Studies from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2017.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach John Jakus
"Over 15 years ago, I had the privilege of coaching Aaron on an Athletes in Action trip. Since then, he has always been one of my favorite people both in and out of our business. He is an elite friend and mentor, while also being a special coach. As a national coach of the year at the junior college level while also having Division I experience, he's an incredible combination of person and coach. Owl Nation, help us welcome Aaron to our Owl family."
Assistant Coach Aaron Smith
"I am so excited to be here at FAU. My relationship with Coach Jakus goes back almost 20 years, and he has always been someone that I have wanted to work for. My family and I could not be more thrilled to call this place home."
2025-26 SEASON TICKET WAITLIST
To purchase season tickets, click here to fill out the 2025-26 season ticket waitlist.
ROSTER
Click here for the full 2025-26 men's basketball roster
FOLLOW THE OWLS
To stay up to date on all things FAU men's basketball, follow the Owls on social media @FAUMBB.
Smith arrives to Paradise after spending one year at Longwood University. He spent three years with Louisiana Tech in the same role, a team that recorded 20+ wins in back-to-back seasons.
While at Longwood, he was a part of the staff to recruit the best class in program history. He oversaw the academic success of the student-athletes, and the team recorded a 3.26 GPA for the third-highest GPA in school history. Primarily worked with the guards and wings, worked with Colby Garland, Angelo Brizzi, and Kyrell Luc.
At Louisiana Tech, among the players Smith helped coach were Isaiah Crawford, who was voted CUSA Player of the Year and CUSA Defensive Player of the Year, as well as Daniel Batcho, who was selected as the CUSA Newcomer of the Year
Prior to Louisiana Tech, Smith spent seven seasons with head coaching stops at Jacksonville College and Panola College. During his stint, he won two Region XIV South Zone championships, coached two All-Americans, and had 10 First or Second Team All-Region performers.
Smith spent three seasons at the helm at Panola College in Carthage, Texas, leading the Ponies in 2021-22 to a 22-10 overall record while advancing to the Region XIV semifinals. He coached Panola to a 14-7 record in the 2020-21 season and 19-12 in 2019-20, with several appearances in the national rankings.
At Jacksonville College in Jacksonville, Texas, he guided the Jaguars to three 20-win seasons in four years and made two appearances in the Region XIV South Zone Championships, the program's first two since 1989.
A 2008 graduate of Prairie View A&M, Smith played basketball for the Panthers. His career continued as the fourth overall pick in the 2008 CBA Draft, winning the CBA Championship in 2009 as a member of the Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry. He also spent time playing overseas in France and Bulgaria.
Smith earned his Master of Theological Studies from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2017.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach John Jakus
"Over 15 years ago, I had the privilege of coaching Aaron on an Athletes in Action trip. Since then, he has always been one of my favorite people both in and out of our business. He is an elite friend and mentor, while also being a special coach. As a national coach of the year at the junior college level while also having Division I experience, he's an incredible combination of person and coach. Owl Nation, help us welcome Aaron to our Owl family."
Assistant Coach Aaron Smith
"I am so excited to be here at FAU. My relationship with Coach Jakus goes back almost 20 years, and he has always been someone that I have wanted to work for. My family and I could not be more thrilled to call this place home."
2025-26 SEASON TICKET WAITLIST
To purchase season tickets, click here to fill out the 2025-26 season ticket waitlist.
ROSTER
Click here for the full 2025-26 men's basketball roster
FOLLOW THE OWLS
To stay up to date on all things FAU men's basketball, follow the Owls on social media @FAUMBB.
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