Ron Smarr is entering his second year at Francis MarionUniversity as a volunteer assistant coach for men’s andwomen’s tennis.
In his first season assisting the Patriots, the women ranked13th nationally with a 23-4 record – equaling the programrecord for victories in a season – and made the program'sseventh NCAA national tournament appearance in the past eightseasons, while the FMU men were 15-9 with a No.18 nationalranking and earned the program's sixth consecutive NCAATournament invitation.
Before coming to FMU, Smarr was the men’s head coach atRice University where he coached the Owls for 15 seasons. Duringhis tenure, Smarr led the team to nine consecutive NCAA tournamentbids (10 overall), as well as wining the Conference USAchampionship in 2010.
When Smarr left Rice at the conclusion of the 2012 season, heleft a strong mark on the tennis world as he finished with an873-344 record in his 42 years of coaching which is the most by anytennis coach ever.
Smarr, who is a North Carolina native, began his coaching careerin 1968 when he coached then junior college school Wingate. Hisfirst taste of success was winning back to back nationalchampionships in 1970-71 averaging 25 wins per season in fourseasons as head coach. In 1998, Smarr was inducted into the WingateSports Hall of Fame.
Smarr then made the move to Division I tennis by becoming themen’s head coach at the University of South Carolina from1972 to 1984. While there he posted a 319-86 record and led histeams to 13 consecutive winning seasons. In eight of his 13 yearsat USC, Smarr’s teams ended the season in the Top 25rankings.
After South Carolina, Smarr moved to the University of Coloradoand coached there from 1988 to 1997. He helped lead the Buffaloesto their first Big Eight championship in 1993, while also garneringRegion V Coach of the Year honors in 1993 and 1996.
A two-time graduate of Appalachian State in Boone, N.C., Smarrreceived his bachelor's and master's degrees in 1965 and 1967. As aplayer, he captained the Mountaineers' team to the Top Fournationally, playing number one singles and doubles. He alsolettered in basketball and wrestling during his college career andwas inducted into the ASU Hall of Fame for his athleticachievements in 1997.
Ron and his wife, Becky, have three children and eightgrandchildren.
(7-2013)
