Karl Smesko#Head coaching record

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Karl Smesko

| image = Karl Smesko, head coach Florida Gulf Coast.jpg

| caption = Smesko in 2012

| position = Head coach

| team = Atlanta Dream

| league = WNBA

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|10|2}}

| birth_place = Bath Township, Ohio

| death_date =

| death_place =

| high_school =

| college = Kent State (1992–1993)

| career_position = Point guard

| coach_start = 1997

| coach_end =

| cyears1 = 1997–1998

| cteam1 = Walsh

| cyears2 = 1998–1999

| cteam2 = Maryland (Asst.)

| cyears3 = 1999–2001

| cteam3 = IPFW

| cyears4 = 2002–2024

| cteam4 = Florida Gulf Coast

| cyears5 = {{wnbay|2025}}–present

| cteam5 = Atlanta Dream

| highlights =

NAIA DII national championship (1998)
11x ASUN Tournament (2012, 2014, 2015, 2017–2024)
14x ASUN regular season (2009, 2011–2016, 2018–24)
NAIA Coach of the Year (1998)
13× Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year (2009, 2011–2016, 2018–2023)
Kay Yow Award (2012)

}}

Karl Wade Smesko (born October 2, 1970){{cite news|author=Caldwell, Dana|title=A Belated Happy Birthday to Smesko|date=October 4, 2012|url=https://www.naplesnews.com/story/sports/blogs/eye-on-eagles/2012/10/04/a_belated_happy_birthday_to_smesko/86075278/|work=Naples Daily News|publisher=USA Today|accessdate=November 10, 2018}} is an American professional basketball coach who is the head coach of the Atlanta Dream of the WNBA. He previously served as the founding head coach of the Florida Gulf Coast women's basketball team from 2002 to 2024.

High school

Born in Bath Township, Summit County, Ohio, Smesko played point guard for Revere High School. He was considered strong, but not fast. He played well enough to garner interest from a small college in Oakland, California, but he chose to attend Kent State University.{{cite news|author=Rothman, Matt|title=The successful journey for Karl Smesko|date=February 21, 2018|url=http://eaglenews.org/sports/the-successful-journey-for-karl-smesko/|publisher=Eagle News|accessdate=November 10, 2018}}

College career

While at Kent State, pursuing a communications degree, Smesko attempted to walk on to the basketball team but initially was unsuccessful. He tried again as a senior, and made the team. However, he ended up leaving the team to help care for a family member. He graduated summa cum laude in 1993.{{cite news|author=Caldwell, Dana|title=Pushing all the right buttons|url=http://archive.naplesnews.com/sports/college/fgcu/pushing-all-the-right-buttons-ep-404719659-345577792.html|work=Naples Daily News|publisher=USA Today|date=March 17, 2017|accessdate=November 10, 2018}}

Coaching career

=Early coaching career=

Smesko started coaching boys' basketball at his alma mater, Revere High School, while still in college.

{{cite web|date=August 14, 1998|title=National Coach of Year Joins Women's Basketball Staff|url=http://www.umterps.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=29700&ATCLID=207283736|publisher=University of Maryland|accessdate=October 8, 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151202194814/http://www.umterps.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=29700&ATCLID=207283736|archivedate=December 2, 2015|url-status=dead}} He briefly worked as an intern at a local TV station, but he preferred coaching so he decided to pursue a coaching career. He had attended basketball camps run by Bob Knight and became enamored with Knight's coaching philosophy. He continued to coach at the high school, while reaching out to secure a college position. Among the coaches he contacted was Herb Sendek, the head coach at Arizona State University. Sendek didn't have a position for him, but did have some advice, urging Smesko obtain his master's degree.

= Walsh University (1997–1998)=

One of the local schools, Walsh University, had a suitable program, but the position came with a requirement to assist with the women's basketball program. He had never considered coaching women's basketball but he accepted the opportunity. He assisted the head coach with weight room and workout sessions for the players, as well as tape analysis. He completed his master's in a year, and then planned to take a job as an assistant with a men's basketball team. However, Michelle Steele, the head coach of the women's team, resigned at the end of the 1996–97 season. The players approached the athletic director of Walsh, Jim Dennison, to push him to name Smesko to the head coaching position. It didn't take much pushing, as Dennison was supportive. Smesko accepted the position.

The Cavaliers, who had been 105–117 under their prior coach, were not expected to be a strong team. They were picked to finish in sixth place in the nine-team Mid-Ohio Conference. Under Smesko, the team improved. In the Mid-Ohio Conference tournament, the team made it to the championship game, but lost to Shawnee State. The team assumed they needed a win to earn the automatic bid to the Division II tournament, so the players left to head home for spring break. However, the selection committee chose Walsh as the final bid to the 32-team postseason tournament. As the last team in the field, they were not expected to win a single game. Smesko's father did not consider making the drive to attend the tournament, held in Sioux City, Iowa. After winning their third game, Smesko called his father to let him know the Cavaliers were still playing. Despite a snowstorm, his father made the drive, which took ten hours, to reach the tournament. The team defeated Doane College in the semi-final, then faced Mary Hardin-Baylor in the championship game. Walsh scored a come-from-behind victory to secure the National Championship, the first time ever an unseeded team had won an NAIA National Championship. The accomplishment helped Smesko earn NAIA Coach of the Year honors.{{cite web|title=Walsh University Women '98|url=http://ohiobasketballhalloffame.com/?p=1435|publisher=Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame|accessdate=November 10, 2018}}{{cite web|title=1998 Women's Basketball National Champions|url=https://walsh.prestosports.com/WOF/Wall_of_Fame/1997-98_Women-s_National_Championship_Basketball_Team?view=bio|publisher=Walsh University|accessdate=November 10, 2018}}{{cite magazine|date=March 22, 1998|title=NAIA Women's Division II Basketball Tournament|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/college/news/1998/03/22/naia_divii_women/|magazine=Sports Illustrated|agency=CNN|accessdate=October 9, 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105045321/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/college/news/1998/03/22/naia_divii_women/|archivedate=January 5, 2014|url-status=dead}}

= Maryland (1998–1999)=

Smesko accepted an assistant coaching position at Maryland in 1998. He served as an assistant under Chris Weller. He remained in that position for one season.

= IPFW (1999–2001)=

After that season, Smesko was hired by IPFW{{efn|In 2018, the Indiana University and Purdue University systems dissolved IPFW, with each system creating a new Fort Wayne campus. The IPFW athletic program was transferred to the larger of the two successor institutions, Purdue University Fort Wayne, and now competes as Purdue Fort Wayne.}} as the head coach of the women's basketball program. The Mastodons had gone 6–20 in 1997–98, and dropped to 2–24 in 1998–99. Under Smesko, the team improved to 13–14 in 1999–2000, and improved again in the following year to produce a 19–8 record.{{cite web|title=IPFW Basketball Media Guide|date=November 6, 2011 |url=http://issuu.com/ipfwsid/docs/2011-12_wbb_media_guide|accessdate=November 10, 2018}}

= FGCU (2002–2024)=

Smesko's success didn't go unnoticed. FGCU approached him about becoming the head of the women's basketball program. At the time, the school did not have a basketball program. The school had only been founded in 1991, with classes not having started until 1997, and not only had no team, it had no real athletic facilities. The plans at the time were to start as an NAIA program, while applying for NCAA Division II status. Despite the challenges, Smesko accepted the position, and spent the next year working out of the school's trailer to build a program from scratch. He persuaded players to come to the school, even though the first workout would take place on asphalt outdoor courts, while the school built an indoor facility.{{cite web|author=Hays, Graham|date=February 22, 2012|title=FGCU eyes first NCAA tournament|url=http://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/7601740/florida-gulf-coast-eagles-look-make-most-tournament-eligibility|website=ESPN.com|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=November 10, 2018}}{{cite press release|date=May 2, 2001|title=Smesko Top Pick in Bid for FGCU Women's Basketball Coach|url=https://www2.fgcu.edu/vpchiefofstaff/pressrelease.asp?id=10780|publisher=FGCU|accessdate=November 10, 2018}}

In his first game, his team won by 17 points. By the time the season ended, they had but a single loss for a record of 30–1. The team continued to excel, amassing a record of 132–21 as a DII team. In 2007, FGCU applied to become a Division I school, as part of the Atlantic Sun Conference, now known as the ASUN Conference. The Eagles have competed in that conference ever since, finishing first or second in the conference every year. In 2011, they completed the transition to full Division I status, and eligibility for postseason tournaments. Under his leadership, FGCU has made the Division I NCAA Tournament seven times, in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022, pulling first round upsets in 2015 and 2018.

FGCU is one of only two Division I women's basketball teams, along with UConn, to win 25 or more games each of the last 14 seasons.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-13 |title=Dream hire Florida Gulf Coast's Smesko as coach |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/42366828/dream-hire-florida-gulf-coast-karl-smesko-head-coach |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

= Atlanta Dream (2025–present)=

On November 13, 2024, Smesko was named the head coach of the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream. {{Cite web |title=Atlanta Dream Hire Karl Smesko as Head Coach |url=https://dream.wnba.com/news/104357?CAMEFROM=CFC_ATL_DREAM_WEB_OGTRAF_HEADCOACHANNOUNCE& |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=dream.wnba.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-11-13 |title=Karl Smesko steps down as women's basketball head coach |url=https://fgcuathletics.com/news/2024/11/13/womens-basketball-karl-smesko-steps-down-as-womens-basketball-coach.aspx |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=FGCU Athletics |language=en}}

Head coaching record

Source:{{cite web|title=SMESKO'S YEAR-BY-YEAR HEAD COACHING RECORD|url=https://fgcuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1667|publisher=FGCU|accessdate=November 10, 2018}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead|name=Walsh Cavaliers|conference=Independent|startyear=1997|endyear=1998}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=national|season=1997–98|name=Walsh University|overall=29–5|conference=|confstanding=|postseason=NAIA DII Champion}}

{{CBB yearly record subtotal|name=Walsh University|overall={{Winning percentage|29|5|record=y}}|confrecord=}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead|name=IPFW Mastodons|conference=Great Lakes Valley Conference|startyear=1999|endyear=2001}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=|season=1999–2000|name=IPFW|overall=13–14|conference=9–11|confstanding=8th|postseason=}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=|season=2000–01|name=IPFW|overall=19–8|conference=12–8|confstanding=5th|postseason=}}

{{CBB yearly record subtotal|name=IPFW|overall =32–22 ({{Winning percentage|32|22}})|confrecord=21–19 ({{Winning percentage|21|19}})}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead|name=FGCU Eagles|conference=Independent (Division II)|startyear=2001|endyear=2007}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=|season=2002–03|name=FGCU|overall=30–1|conference=|confstanding=|postseason=}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=|season=2003–04|name=FGCU|overall=18–8|conference=|confstanding=|postseason=}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=|season=2004–05|name=FGCU|overall=21–9|conference=|confstanding=|postseason=}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=|season=2005–06|name=FGCU|overall=29–2|conference=|confstanding=|postseason=NAIA DII Elite Eight}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=|season=2006–07|name=FGCU|overall=34–1|conference=|confstanding=|postseason=NAIA DII Runner-Up}}

{{CBB yearly record subtotal|name=FGCU (Independent)|overall={{Winning percentage|132|21|record=y}}|confrecord=}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead|name=FGCU Eagles|conference=Atlantic Sun|startyear=2007|endyear=2024}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=|season=2007–08|name=FGCU|overall=22–9|conference=12–3|confstanding=2nd|postseason=WNIT Second Round}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=conference|season=2008–09|name=FGCU|overall=26–5|conference=17–3|confstanding=1st|postseason=WNIT Second Round}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=|season=2009–10|name=FGCU|overall=24–7|conference=17–3|confstanding=2nd|postseason=WNIT First Round}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=conference|season=2010-11|name=FGCU|overall=28–4|conference=17–3|confstanding=1st|postseason=WNIT Second Round}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=conference tournament|season=2011–12|name=FGCU|overall=29–3|conference=18–0|confstanding=1st|postseason=NCAA First round}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship =conference|season=2012–13|name=FGCU|overall=27–7|conference=18–0|confstanding=1st|postseason=WNIT First Round}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=confboth|season=2013–14|name=FGCU|overall=26–8|conference=17–1|confstanding=1st|postseason=NCAA First round}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=confboth|season=2014–15|name=FGCU|overall=31–3|conference=14–0|confstanding=1st|postseason=NCAA Second round}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=conference|season=2015–16|name=FGCU|overall=33–6|conference=14–0|confstanding=1st|postseason=WNIT Runner Up}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=conference tournament|season=2016–17|name=FGCU|overall=26–9|conference=12–2|confstanding=2nd|postseason=NCAA First Round}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=confboth|season=2017–18|name=FGCU|overall=31–5|conference=13–1|confstanding=1st|postseason=NCAA Second Round}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=confboth|season=2018–19|name=FGCU|overall=28–5|conference=16–0|confstanding=1st|postseason=NCAA First Round}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=conference|season=2019–20|name=FGCU|overall=30–3|conference=15–1|confstanding=1st|postseason=Postseason not held due to COVID-19}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=confboth|season=2020–21|name=FGCU|overall=26–3|conference=16–0|confstanding=1st|postseason=NCAA First Round}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=confboth|season=2021–22|name=FGCU|overall=30–3|conference=15–1|confstanding=1st|postseason=NCAA Second Round}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=confboth|season=2022–23|name=FGCU|overall=33–4|conference=17–1|confstanding=1st|postseason=NCAA Second Round}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=confboth|season=2023–24|name=FGCU|overall=29–4|conference=16–0|confstanding=1st|postseason=NCAA First Round}}

{{CBB yearly record entry|championship=|season=2024–25|name=FGCU|overall=0–2|conference=0–0|confstanding=|postseason=}}

{{CBB yearly record subtotal|name=FGCU (ASun)|overall={{Winning percentage|479|91|record=y}}|confrecord={{Winning percentage|264|19|record=y}}

}}

{{CBB yearly record subtotal|name=FGCU (All)|overall={{Winning percentage|611|112|record=y}}|confrecord={{Winning percentage|264|19|record=y}}

}}

{{CBB yearly record end|overall={{Winning percentage|672|139|record=y}}

}}

Personal

Smesko's father, Albert, coached high school boys' basketball and is a member of the Akron Coaches Association Hall of Fame. His brother, Kyle, coaches football as the offensive coordinator for Allegheny College{{cite web|title=One Noah Isn't Enough For Coach Smesko at Florida Gulf Coast|url=https://www.noahbasketball.com/blog/featured-coach-karl-smesko-florida-gulf-coast-university|publisher=Noah Basketball|author=Delaney, Corbin|date=August 1, 2012|accessdate=November 10, 2018}}

Awards and honors

1998—NAIA Coach of the Year
1998—Mid-Ohio Conference Coach of the Year
2007—DII South Region Coach of the Year
2009—Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year{{cite web|title=Atlantic Sun Recordbook|url=http://asunsports.org//media/2011-12/pdf/records-wbb.pdf|work=Atlantic Sun|accessdate=November 10, 2018}}
2011—Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year
2012—Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year
2012—Kay Yow Award{{cite news|date=April 11, 2014|title=College basketball: All quiet so far for FGCU women's coach Karl Smesko|url=http://archive.naplesnews.com/news/college-basketball-all-quiet-so-far-for-fgcu-womens-coach-karl-smesko-ep-459356992-341325231.html/|work=Naples Daily News|publisher=USA Today|accessdate=November 10, 2018}}{{cite web|date=January 10, 2013|title=FGCU's Karl Smesko Next on Friday's A-Sun Insider|url=http://www.atlanticsun.org/wbasketball/news/2012-13/7256/fgcus-karl-smesko-next-on-fridays-a-sun-insider/|work=Atlantic Sun Conference|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116114851/http://www.atlanticsun.org/wbasketball/news/2012-13/7256/fgcus-karl-smesko-next-on-fridays-a-sun-insider/web/20130116114851/http://www.atlanticsun.org/wbasketball/news/2012-13/7256/fgcus-karl-smesko-next-on-fridays-a-sun-insider/|archivedate=January 16, 2013|url-status=dead}}
2012—Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame (as coach of the 1998 Walsh University National Champions)
2013—Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year{{cite news|author=Church, Jamie|date=October 7, 2013|title=Hansen and Smesko Earn Top Preseason Honors from College Sports Madness|url=https://fgcuathletics.com/news/2014/7/28/WBB_6531.aspx?path=wbball|publisher=FGCU|accessdate=November 10, 2018}}
2013—Coach of the Year College Sports Madness 2013 All-Mid Major Teams{{cite web|date=March 12, 2013|title=Madness Women's Basketball 2012-2013 All-Mid Major Teams|url=https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/6080|publisher=College Sports Madness|accessdate=November 10, 2018}}
2014—Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year{{cite press release|url=https://asunsports.org/sports/wbkb/2013-14/releases/page_8918.html|title=#ASunWBB All-Conference Awards Announced|publisher=Atlantic Sun Conference |date=March 10, 2014 |accessdate=February 21, 2020}}
2015—Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year{{cite press release|url=http://atlanticsun.org/sports/wbkb/2014-15/releases/20150304zfd2qx |title=Knight Voted @ASunWBB Player of Year; All-Conference Team Announced |publisher=Atlantic Sun Conference |date=March 4, 2015 |accessdate=February 21, 2020}}
2016—Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year{{cite press release|url=http://www.atlanticsun.org/sports/wbkb/2015-16/releases/20160301fotq7a |title=FGCU's Whitney Knight Highlights @ASunWBB Postseason Awards |publisher=Atlantic Sun Conference |date=March 2, 2016 |accessdate=February 21, 2020}}
2016—espnW Mid-Major Coach of the Year{{cite news|url=https://www.naplesnews.com/story/sports/college/fgcu/2016/03/09/college-basketball-fgcus-karl-smesko-named-espnw-midmajor-coach-of-year/85740340/|title=College basketball: FGCU's Karl Smesko named espnW Mid-Major Coach of Year|publisher=Naples Daily News|date=March 9, 2016|accessdate=February 21, 2020}}
2018—Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year{{cite press release|url=http://asunsports.org/sports/wbkb/2017-18/releases/20180228zu4h0j |title=Loren Cagle Nabs Player of the Year; First in Lipscomb History |publisher=ASUN Conference |date=February 28, 2018 |accessdate=February 21, 2020}}
2019—Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year{{cite press release|url=http://asunsports.org/sports/wbkb/2018-19/releases/20190307dv1z8p |title=FGCU's Ulel Highlights 2019 @ASUNWBB Postseason Awards |publisher=ASUN Conference |date=March 7, 2019 |accessdate=February 21, 2020}}