One of the state’s most successful basketball coaches is stepping down. Jac-Cen-Del girls’ coach Scott Smith announced today there will not be a 22nd season for him in Osgood.
Over his 21-year career, all with the Eagles, Smith racked up 385 wins which is 32nd most all-time for girls’ programs. His teams amassed a slew of titles: 10 ORVC, seven Ripley County, 16 sectionals, three regionals, one semi-state and one state in 2016.
Only twice in his career did an Eagle girls team finish under .500. His teams had 18 consecutive winning seasons and nine times achieved 20 victories or more. Jac-Cen-Del was one W shy of that plateau this year finishing 19-7.
Over the last 21 years, Smith had the highest winning percentage among all Class 1A girls’ coaches and 10th best overall.
Smith was named Coach of the Year five times by the HBCA, twice by the IBCA and once by the ICGSA.
Coach Smith’s letter of resignation:
Change is inevitable. Knowing this does not make it any easier to deal with. Eventually, we are all faced with the same decision- accept or resist. After long thought, I have concluded I am no longer the right person to be the head coach at Jac-Cen-Del. I love our community, the kids that play for our team and the people who undyingly support them. I am just no longer the right person to lead this program, and so it is time for me to step aside.
I will be forever grateful to all the young women who played during my time at JCD. Thank you for giving me some of the best experiences of my life. All of you left your mark on me, and a few have become like family.
Thank you to the communities of Delaware, Osgood, and Napoleon. You were always wonderfully supportive of our teams. There is not a better fan base in Indiana.
Thank you to all the coaches, assistants, officials, and colleagues who I have been blessed to meet, compete against, or work with over the years, especially the few (you know who you are) who became trusted confidents. The relationships and friendships I have made were because of the intense battles on the court, not despite them.
Special thanks to my wife, Vickie, and our family for their extended sacrifices that enabled me to do something that I loved and still love.
To JCD Schools, I thank you for the opportunity.
I wish nothing but continued success for Lady Eagle Basketball and all the returning players. To be able to say I was an basketball coach in Indiana will always have great significance for me. And to say I coached in the community of JCD, which I consider one of the cradles of Indiana Girls High School Basketball, will always make me proud. I hope for your continued success!
Sincerely,
Coach Scott Smith
We thank coach Smith for the announcement.