Josh Smith named new Guthrie girls basketball coach

Josh Smith has been named the new head girls basketball coach at Guthrie High School.

Smith, who has been instrumental in launching and leading the GHS Volleyball program, is set to take the reins from Breck Clark, who accepted the Mountain View-Gotebo head boys basketball job. The Board of Education will likely make the hire formally at their next board meeting on July 15.

During his tenure at GHS, he helped establish the volleyball program and was an assistant coach for the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams, including the Lady Jays in the 2023 season before assisting the Bluejays last season.

Smith will continue his volleyball duties with the school this fall.

“For the previous two years, I’ve had the opportunity to get to know the student-athletes here as well as getting to know the community of Guthrie,” Smith said in a statement. “I couldn’t pick a better place to be for my family and myself to call Guthrie our home.”

Smith talked about his goals as the next head coach.

“The coaching staff and I are excited to get to work to build the program. Our focus is to promote a culture of high morals with hardworking and determined young ladies, pushing for excellence on and off the floor. We are excited to get to work and begin the process.”

His coaching journey began at his alma mater, Venus High School in Texas, where he led the Lady Bulldogs to an average of over 20 wins per season.

A 2016 graduate of Mid America Christian University, Smith was a standout on the men’s basketball team, earning all-conference honors and the Champions of Character award as the Evangels advanced to the Elite Eight.

His deep ties to Guthrie are further strengthened by his wife, Kenzie Graeber, a 2011 GHS alumna, and their three children, who all attend Fogarty Elementary.

Director of Athletics Jon Chappell is enthusiastic about Smith’s vision, stating, “We are really excited about Coach Smith’s ideas in building our program from the elementary level through the high school varsity program.”

Similarly, Guthrie Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mike Simpson praised Smith’s dedication and family-oriented approach, saying, “He is a tireless worker who brings a family atmosphere to everything he does. Creating a family atmosphere is important to us.”

Smith becomes the eighth coach for the program in the past 18 seasons.