Former Vol JaJuan Smith named head coach at Catholic.
Former Vol JaJuan Smith has been named head coach for boys basketball at Catholic High School in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Smith began the 2023-24 season as Catholic’s assistant head coach. He was appointed as interim head coach after first-year head coach Gabe Blair took a leave of absence during the regular-season.
Smith played for the Vols from 2004-08. He appeared in 126 games at Tennessee, averaging 11 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
The former Vol was named to the SEC’s All-Defensive team during his senior season and helped Tennessee advance to the 2008 Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
Former Vol JaJuan Smith records state tournament victory.
Former Vol JaJuan Smith and Catholic High School (Knoxville, Tennessee) won in the first-round of the TSSAA Division II-AA Tournament on Wednesday.
Catholic (16-13) defeated Christ Presbyterian Academy (Nashville, Tennessee), 81-73, in Knoxville.
Smith is Catholic’s interim head coach while first-year head coach Gabe Blair is on a leave of absence.
Christ Presbyterian Academy (7-18) led, 40-36, at halftime.
“I always preach that basketball is a game of runs,” Smith said. “I knew we would make our run. We never lost focus.
“We want the other team to make their run early. I told the guys that the (regular) season is over, and we already know what to do, and tonight, I feel like we really grew up.”
Smith played for the Vols from 2004-08. He appeared in 126 games at Tennessee, averaging 11 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
Smith was named to the SEC’s All-Defensive team during his senior season and helped the Vols advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in 2008.
Catholic will next play in Saturday’s state quarterfinals at Webb School in Knoxville.
“They’re a good team and they won our conference,” Smith said. “It will be a great game and a great atmosphere and we’re looking forward to playing them again.”
Former Vol returns to Knoxville as assistant basketball coach.
Former Tennessee men’s basketball player JaJuan Smith has been named an assistant coach at Catholic High School in Knoxville, Tennessee.
He joins head coach Gabe Blair’s staff.
Smith played for the Vols from 2004-08. He returns to Knoxville after serving as associate head coach at Springs Academy in Green Cove Springs, Florida.
The Decatur, Tennessee, native earned Associated Press All-SEC honorable mention honors in 2008. Smith came to the Vols from McMinn County High School in Athens, Tennessee.
He appeared in 126 games at Tennessee, averaging 11 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
Smith was named to the SEC’s All-Defensive team during his senior season and helped the Vols advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in 2008.
