Career
Originally from Roan Mountain, Tennessee, Smith served as a head coach for twenty-two seasons. He is credited with turning around losing programs at East Tennessee State University and Auburn University. Additionally, Smith coached Virginia Commonwealth University from 1989-1998.
In 1985, he coached the Auburn Tigers to their first Securities and Exchange Commission Tournament Championship in school history.
During his years at Auburn, he coached National Basketball Association Hall of Fame player Charles Barkley and National Basketball Association star Chuck Person. From 1984 to 1988, he guided Auburn to five consecutive National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 berth in 1985 and a Final Eight berth in 1986.
On January 3, 2007, he was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. After retiring from coaching, Smith joined his friend and former University of Alabama coach Wimp Sanderson on a sports talk radio show "The Sonny and Wimp Show" on WJOX-Department of Administration and Management in Birmingham, Alabama.
Smith also works as an analyst calling Atlantic Sun games on Friday nights for Computer Software Systems.