After two seasons as head coach at William Peace College in Raleigh, Grahm Smith (left) is moving to Lenoir-Rhyne University to lead the women’s basketball program./WILLIAM PEACE UNIVERSITY PHOTO
HobbsDailyReport.com
HICKORY – Lenoir-Rhyne University found its next women’s head basketball coach on Monday, naming Grahm Smith of William Peace College in Raleigh as its new leader.
Smith has been at William Peace – an NCAA Division II school — for two seasons and has a seven-year coaching record of 135-53 and winning percentage of .814.
He replaces Cameron Sealy, an LRU graduate and Gaston County native who played at East Gaston High.
Smith has also been head coach at Dean College, and his teams are 69-9 in conference play.
“I am excited for Coach Grahm Smith to take over the helm of our women’s basketball program,” LRU Vice President of Athletics Kim Pate said in a press release announcing Smith’s hiring. “He brings all the attributes we look for in a head coach.
“He is a tremendous teacher, outstanding recruiter and evaluator of talent, an inspiring and proven leader who understands how to build a winning culture and he is genuinely passionate about developing his players not only in basketball but for life.
“I am confident Coach Smith will position our players for success both on and off the court while re-establishing a tradition of excellence that will energize our fans, alumni, and the greater Hickory community.”
Sealey resigned in March, effective immediately, after three seasons. LRU went 43-45 overall and 29-22 in the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) under Sealey. Her 2019 team reached the conference tournament semifinals.
She is currently listed online as part of the staff at the BDS Agency (Mountain Top, Pa.), a group that advises, markets and represents college basketball coaches. Sealey has a master’s degree in athletic administration from Concordia University.
Smith is the 13th head women’s basketball coach hired in that position in program history (Kim Mattox also served 10 games as interim head coach in 1994 when Janet Greene was head coach).
He is the third head coach in the position in the five years since Todd Starkey, after nine years, left LRU to become head coach at Kent State. The Bears won three SAC regular-season titles and had four NCAA Division II playoff berths under Starkey.
William Peace went 39-16 under Smith, 2020 USA South Coach of the Year after his team was 15-1 in the league and 23-5 overall.
“I am extremely honored and blessed to be the next head women’s basketball coach at Lenoir-Rhyne University,” Smith said in the press release. “I am very excited for the future of Lenoir-Rhyne women’s basketball and am looking forward to establishing a culture of excellence that prepares our players for success in life, the classroom and on the court.”
Smith’s coaching resumes includes stints as an assistant at Rockford (Ill.) University (2008-13) and Palm Beach Atlantic (Fla.) University (2007-08).
MORE ABOUT SMITH: https://gopeacepacers.com/news/2020/4/6/womens-basketball-wpu-wishes-smith-well-at-lenoir-rhyne.aspx
SEALY RESIGNS AT LRU: https://hobbsdailyreport.com/lenoir-rhyne-university-womens-basketball/womens-college-basketball-sealey-resigns-as-lenoir-rhyne-womens-head-coach/