Utah State Coach Craig Smith stays strong despite being fired, with his wife Darcy and their kids providing unwavering support through the tough times.
The university announced that Craig Smith’s tenure as head coach of the Utah men’s basketball team has ended.
Highlights
- Craig Smith and his wife, Darcy, are proud parents to three sons, Landon, Brady, and Carson, and a daughter, Lauren.
- The high school sweethearts tied the knot when they were 22 and 21, just a year before graduation.
- While Craig was a graduate assistant at Northern State, earning only $3,600 in his second year, Darcy juggled three jobs.
According to athletic director Mark Harlan, Josh Eilert, an assistant coach, will be the interim head coach for the rest of the season.
Smith was informed on February 24 morning that his time with the program was over after nearly four seasons in charge. This decision follows a recent road loss to UCF.
He stated that the program has higher ambitions within the Big 12 Conference and nationally, including regularly competing in the NCAA Tournament.
After reviewing the team’s progress under Smith, Harlan believes a change is necessary to help the program reach its goals.
He also assured that coach Eilert and the staff and players would receive support as they continue the season.
Craig Smith Married His School Sweetheart, Darcy, While They Were Young
University of Utah basketball coach Craig Smith has often been compared by his wife, Darcy, and their four children to Clark Griswold, the iconic father from the “Vacation” movies, played by Chevy Chase.
They described him as adventurous and the best husband and father.
26th Anniversary! What an adventure! Let the good times roll! #Darcyisamazing pic.twitter.com/HcKPBNRCji
— Craig Smith (@coachcsmith_) August 13, 2021
Craig Smith and his wife, Darcy, are proud parents to three sons, Landon, Brady, and Carson, and a daughter named Lauren.
They are the high school sweethearts who tied the knot when they were 22 and 21, just a year before graduation.
The couple knew they wanted a large family, and about five years after getting married, they started having children.
Craig, the oldest of five boys, and Darcy, the second youngest of 10 children (eight girls and two boys), both valued the idea of a big family.
He often reflected on Darcy’s unwavering support and willingness to be genuine and down-to-earth with him throughout their journey.
Darcy Supported Craig Throughout His Ups And Downs
In the early days of his coaching career, Craig Smith faced financial challenges after accepting a pay cut when he moved from his assistant role at North Dakota State to head coach at Mayville State.
With money being tight, legendary coach Don Meyer, who passed away in 2014, offered Craig the chance to fly with him to Southern California for a coaching clinic.
Happy Birthday to this wonderful wife and mother! Pumped to create many more memories together! 🔥😍🏀❤️ pic.twitter.com/ltjoRWedYu
— Craig Smith (@coachcsmith_) April 25, 2020
Although the flight cost was around $550, which seemed too expensive given their situation, Darcy insisted that it was a valuable experience for his growth, even though it meant stretching their finances.
Further, while he was a graduate assistant at Northern State, earning a stipend of just $3,600 in his second year, Darcy juggled three jobs to keep them afloat.
Things improved slightly when he moved to Minot State as an assistant coach. He made $10,000 a year, which meant Darcy “only” had to work two jobs.
Additional Information
- He earned his bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of North Dakota in 1996 and completed his master’s degree in education at Northern State University in South Dakota in 1999.
- Craig Smith landed his first NCAA Division I job on April 10, 2007, as the director of operations at Colorado State, marking his third time working with Tim Miles.
- During his tenure at Colorado State, Smith played a key role in helping the team earn spots in the 2010 CBI, 2011 NIT, and 2012 NCAA tournament.
