TORONTO - Jonathan Smith is the seventh head coach in the history of the men's basketball program at Toronto's George Brown College - but he's also hoping to become the first to win a provincial championship in more than three decades.

Having played the sport, Smith has been coaching the game of hoops for the past 22 years and has played a huge part in the development and success of dozens of teenage players - from high school to club to college to the Team Ontario under-15 squads that won four national titles.

Now, with the departure of O'Neil Kamaka, Smith has been given the job of developing a program that will not only challenge for medals - but also ensure players do so knowing their primary obligation is also to pile up successful grades in the classroom.

"We're very fortunate to have a coach like (Smith) who has the experience, the credentials and is also an amazing recruiter," said Ed Mark, Manager of Athletics and Recreation for George Brown College.

"We wanted someone with a good personality, a refreshing approach and the ability to make our students become better players and better people focussing on the challenges they will face in a game, working with people and preparing for what lies ahead after they graduate."

Smith takes over a program that had the 12th best record in the 21-team Ontario Colleges Athletic Association last season - one that started off well, had some mid-season issues involving the loss of five players for academic ineligibility.

The Huskies finished 11-9 in league play and were eliminated by Algoma University of Sault Ste Marie, 74-69, in a quarterfinal. Winning an OCAA title hasn't happened since 1976.

"I want to win and didn't come here to lose," said Smith, a former Volunteer of the Year award cited for his work with inner city kids at the Driftwood Community Centre.

"You can say I am allergic to silver and bronze and prefer gold. But winning is more than playing a basketball game. It's staying focussed on what has to be done - to learn, to accept what is being taught, to deal with success and to be smart enough to learn from mistakes."

"We might lose some games, but one thing I will promise - no one will outwork us. This will be an exciting place to be, a fun place, but also a classroom and a lesson in life."

Smith, who has a life-time 425-175 won-loss record at the high school level coaching teams at C.W. Jefferys, Westview Centennial, Eastern Commerce and Silverthorn - all in Toronto - also won four National titles, two as an assistant coach and two as head coach of Team Ontario's under-15 squad.

George Brown opens the season at home on Nov. 2 hosting Centennial College of Scarborough.

Source: George Brown College