Bio
Florida State College at Jacksonville men’s basketball Head Coach John Putyrski has announced the hiring of Collin Smith to FSCJ’s coaching staff. The Jacksonville native enters his first season as an assistant coach after spending the last two seasons playing professionally in Europe and Australia.
“I’m beyond excited to come back home to begin my coaching career at FSCJ,” said Smith. “Coach Putyrski has already established a winning culture here, and I look forward to adding to it by helping these young men develop on and off the court so they can pursue their passions. I’m ready for the challenges and grateful to learn all I can as we start this new chapter together.”
Prior to returning to Jacksonville, Smith played in Australia for the Norwood Flames in the NBL1 averaging 15.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game and played the previous season for Kujuskta KK in Macedonia.
Before beginning his professional career, Smith graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2020. As a starter in 32 games for the Knights in 2018-19, Smith helped lead UCF to its first ever at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament where they advanced to the 2nd round before falling to the Zion Williamson-led Duke Blue Devils 77-76 in what many called an “instant classic” and one of the best games of the NCAA Tournament. Smith followed that historic season up by starting all 30 games for UCF in 2019-20 and finishing as the team’s leading scorer and 2nd leading rebounder.
“I have known Collin for several years and have competed against him as a coach multiple times; he was the top player on our scouting report when his UCF team came to play us at Illinois State,” said Coach Putyrski. “His pedigree as a player and professional is high. Getting to know him better over the last few months, his character as a person is higher. He’s already been a huge asset for our players and team and what we’re continuing to build here in Jacksonville. He has a bright coaching career ahead of him, and we’re thrilled to have him.”
Smith graduated high school from The Bolles School in Jacksonville, where he led his Bulldogs to the 4A State Championship in 2015-16.
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