Legendary Louisiana high school basketball coach gets inducted into Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

By Nishant

Modified Oct 17, 2024 20:54 GMT

Charles Smith, the all-time winningest high school basketball coach in Louisiana history, reached the pinnacle of basketball recognition on Sunday as he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. The 74-year-old, who has spent nearly four decades leading Peabody Magnet High School’s basketball team, was honored alongside basketball legends such as Seimone Augustus, Chauncey Billups, Vince Carter and Michael Cooper.

Smith’s illustrious coaching career began in 1975 as a math teacher and assistant basketball coach at Peabody in Alexandria, Louisiana. Ten years later, in 1985, he took over as the head coach, amassing an incredible career record of 1,208 wins to 214 losses.

His 1,208 victories rank him seventh all-time in U.S. high school basketball history, making him one of the most respected figures in the sport. However, for Smith, it was never about the wins. Despite guiding Peabody to 10 state championships, with two undefeated seasons and being named ESPN's National Coach of the Year in 2010, Smith remains focused on his athletes’ academic success and personal development.

Charles Smith credited his students for the Induction

During the Hall of Fame news conference, Charles Smith made it clear that his priorities extended far beyond the basketball court.

“I have to give credit to my students, and I say my students rather than basketball players because I demand that they be students first,” Smith said. “Academics come before athletics. So, I would attribute my success to my student-athletes.”

Charles Smith has long worked with at-risk youth in Alexandria, guiding athletes, future doctors, lawyers and even a vice president of a Fortune 500 company. He credits his dedication to molding young men through discipline and education as the true measure of his legacy.

Known for his team’s success against powerhouse programs from larger cities like Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Smith found ways to make his players think outside the box, often leading to victory against more resourced teams.

His influence extends well beyond Louisiana, as he was also the head coach for the McDonald’s All-American Game in 2020, further cementing his standing in the basketball world.

Smith's incredible career includes winning state championships in each of the past four decades. His most recent title came in 2024, when Peabody defeated Madison Prep Academy 43-40 in overtime to win the Division II Select state championship.

“It’s not about the wins and losses. We set goals academically and athletically,” he said. “I do it for the young men. That means more.”

As Charles Smith joins the Naismith Hall of Fame, his induction stands as a reminder that true coaching success lies not just in championships but in shaping lives — on and off the court.