St. Vincent needed a new head men's basketball coach after D.P. Harris left to take the head coaching job at NAIA member St. Thomas (Fla.) and found one in Dr. Terrance Smith, who was Harris' assistant and a business professor on campus.
D.P. Harris stepped down from his position as the Bearcats' head coach after 16 seasons in Latrobe, Pa. Harris went 318-126 over that time and guided St. Vincent through its transition from NAIA to NCAA Division III. The Bearcats won four consecutive PAC titles from 2013 through 2016.
His replacement is one of the best men's basketball players in St. Vincent's history. Terrance Smith was a two-time All-American for the Bearcats during their time in NAIA and is the program's second leading scorer. Smith then had a 12-year career in the United States Army and served in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Chief Warrant Officer. He earned his doctorate degree and became an assistant professor at St. Vincent's McKenna School of Business.
"I am extremely excited about this opportunity," said Smith in the release announcing his hiring. "This is my alma mater; this is where I played. I'm overwhelmed with the support that I've received and I'm very appreciative of the opportunity."
St. Vincent went 22-5, 15-3 in the PAC last season. The Bearcats finished first in the PAC standings and were upset by eventual champion Chatham in the conference tournament.