Charles Smith, the esteemed high school basketball coach from Peabody High School in Alexandria, Louisiana, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024.
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Career Highlights:
Tenure at Peabody High School: Smith began his coaching career at Peabody in 1975 as a math teacher and assistant coach. He took over as head coach in 1985 and has remained in that position for over 39 years.
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Record: Over his tenure, Smith has amassed a remarkable career record of 1,208 wins and 214 losses, making him the all-time winningest high school basketball coach in Louisiana history.
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State Championships: Smith has led the Peabody Warhorses to ten state titles, with nine as head coach in the years 1991, 2000, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2017, 2020, and 2024.
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National Recognition: In 2010, following a perfect 41-0 season culminating in a state championship, Smith was named ESPN’s National Coach of the Year.
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McDonald’s All-American Game: In 2020, he served as a head coach in the prestigious McDonald’s All-American Game, highlighting his influence and recognition at the national level.
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Smith’s induction into the Hall of Fame underscores his significant contributions to high school basketball and his lasting impact on the sport.
For a visual retrospective of Charles Smith’s illustrious career, you can watch the following video:
Louisiana High School coaching Legend and Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Smith gives his Enshrinement Speech.
Miguel Rodriguez greats and watches as Hall of Famer Charles Smith signs the Original Sign of the first Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame (1968).
To dream the Impossible dream, giving God his glory, I know his blessings have been abundant and far reaching.HOF Speech