Who Is Katie Smith? WNBA Franchise Suffers Huge Blow to Ohio State in Major News

Just after losing the championship this season, the Minnesota Lynx have lost a major asset—their associate head coach. But who exactly was this coach, you ask? Let us tell you: it’s none other than Katie Smith. A legend in the basketball world, both as a player and now as a coach.From dominating the court as a WNBA star to guiding the next generation of players, Smith has done it all.

More than that, she’s an incredible human who’s dedicated to giving back. So, while the Lynx may feel her loss on the sidelines, Ohio State welcomes her with open arms.

Katie Smith returns to her alma mater

For Ohio State University, bringing their alumnae Katie Smith back into the fold is a powerful move. Smith, who played for the Buckeyes in the early ’90s and helped elevate the program to national prominence, returns to a familiar place. In her time at Ohio State, she set multiple records, leaving a lasting mark on the school’s history.

Now, as an assistant coach under head coach Kevin McGuff, Smith is ready to pass on her wealth of experience to the players. Her return also comes alongside Jacy Sheldon, another former Buckeye, who was appointed the new director of player development.

Together, they aim to continue the program’s rise. “I’m both excited and grateful to return to my alma mater, Ohio State,” she shared with WBNS, confirming her new job. But truly, the coach’s career is synonymous with excellence.

With a career that includes two WNBA championships, three Olympic gold medals, and numerous accolades, she is widely regarded as one of the best to ever play the game. From her early days at Ohio State, where she was the Big Ten’s all-time leading scorer, she started creating her legacy.

She was the first female athlete at Ohio State to have her jersey retired. After college, Smith moved on to a dominant professional career that saw her play for the Minnesota Lynx and win two WNBA championships. She was a seven-time WNBA All-Star and remains one of the league’s all-time leading scorers with more than 7,800 career points.

Beyond the WNBA, Smith achieved international success with Team USA, winning three Olympic gold medals (2000, 2004, and 2008) and helping the U.S. secure victories at the 1998 and 2002 World Championships.

After her playing days, the hooper transitioned into coaching, first as an assistant coach with the New York Liberty before moving to the Minnesota Lynx, where she served as an associate head coach. She played a big part in guiding the Lynx to the 2024 WNBA Finals. Her coaching philosophy has always been rooted in a love for the game and a desire to develop players both on and off the court.

Katie Smith ‘giving back’ to Upper Arlington

Even before stepping into her official coaching role at Ohio State, Smith was committed to developing young players. Back in 2021, she volunteered as an assistant coach for the Upper Arling girls as a token of thanks to the place that helped shape her.

“I think that’s partly why I want to coach for the women. I feel like I need to help the women’s basketball game. I feel like it has given me so much that I need to give back,” she told OSU Alumni Magazine.

Her involvement with Upper Arlington was immediately impactful. The legend’s presence on the sidelines was a huge boost to the team, and she quickly became a mentor to the young players, offering invaluable advice and guidance.

Coach John Wanke of Upper Arlington praised Smith’s ability to refine the skills of individual players and elevate the overall level of play. “Katie has a way of helping our players take their games to the next level,” he said.

Along with the staff, players have always appreciated the 50-year-old’s impact on the Golden Bears. “Katie has so much knowledge and insight, and she’s such a great resource as a coach,” said Quinn Buttermore, the team’s point guard.

But do you know? Many of Upper Arlington’s players didn’t even realize how famous Smith is in Columbus until they defeated Iowa in front of a massive crowd. “We knew she was a great player, but I don’t think we realized what a big deal she is, because she’s so humble, and she never puts a spotlight on herself,” Buttermore said.

This passion and selfless nature is something that Smith has carried with her into her professional coaching career and will undoubtedly bring back to her role at Ohio State.

As she puts it, “I’ve coached the elite, and these kids make the same mistakes that we yell at them for. I just want to do my best to teach them what I can while also making this the best possible experience for them.” While we are excited to see what magic she creates here, let us see how Lynx fills her void!