Ricky Smither has had the honor of donning many hats during his 15 years since graduating from Delta State University.
From a golf instructor to a track and field coach to collegiate tennis mentor, Smither has tried them all on for size.
On Thursday, July 3, 2008, Smither found one that fit just right.
The Thibodaux, La.-native accepted the job as head football coach at Northeast Mississippi Community College ascending from his position as the Tiger's offensive line coach.
"After being here for the past year, Booneville and this area has become home to me and my family," said Smither. "Obviously, I'm excited about this challenge and I can't wait to get started."
Smither joined the Northeast coaching staff in spring 2007 under the tutelage of Andy Greening and replaced his former boss after Greening left Northeast to take the defensive coordinator job at the University of West Alabama.
"His resume speaks for itself in terms of his coaching experience, but more importantly he's a fine person with a great family," said Northeast President Johnny Allen. "He's passionate about working with student-athletes, and he will fit in well with the Northeast family and community."
After earning a B.S. degree in Education in 1993, Smither stayed on with the Fighting Okra to earn his master's degree in 1996. While at the Cleveland-based school, Smither was a graduate assistant with the Statesmen guiding them to a 5-6 record during his first year there.
"I am excited about it," Smither said. "The key is small changes and not come in and overwhelm the kids."
Smither stayed in the Mississippi Delta region for his next three coaching jobs and five of the next six clocking time at Cleveland High School (1997), Coahoma Community College (1998-2000) and then as an assistant at Cleveland East Side High School in 2000-01. After a stint at H.L. Bourgeois High School in Louisiana, Smither returned to the Mississippi Delta to join the staff at Mississippi Valley State University before becoming the head man at Cleveland East Side in 2005-06.
Before beginning his stint at Northeast, Smither picked up one year in Alabama at Foley High School where he was also the men's track and field coach.
"I've coached in college before," Smither said when he was first hired at Northeast, "and once you get a taste of it you always want to be a part of it, from the campus life, to recruiting. Early in my career, I learned a lot about Northeast and the city of Booneville from coaching against them. I also recruited Northeast heavily while I was at Mississippi Valley (State University). I told myself then if I ever got the opportunity to work at the college I would be crazy not to go. I'm extremely thankful for this opportunity."
Smither enjoyed success during his first year at Northeast and saw a pair of linemen ink with four-year colleges following the 2007-08 season. Reggie Wade joined Jacksonville State while Greg Magnifico signed with Belhaven after Smither's first year.
Smither also saw his tennis team enjoy a myriad of success during his one-year at the helm at Northeast. Smither led the Tigers to an eighth-place finish at the NJCAA Division III Men's National Tennis Tournament in Plano, Texas. And part of Smither's Lady Tiger tennis team placed fourth in the nation.
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