SPC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACHING STAFF

HEAD COACH - WILLIAM J. "HAMMER'' SMITH

Entering his 14th season at the helm of the Lady Titans, William “Hammer” Smith continues to use the same philosophy as when he began; a heavy dose of passion, enthusiasm and determination. His passion for the game is what keeps him striving for excellence. That same passion is transferred to his players and staff. It’s a vigorous enthusiasm for coaching, teaching and supporting a group of young, talented student athletes that fuels his fire. And he’s also driven by a determined desire to elevate the SPC women’s basketball program to the highest level of achievement.

A native of Monticello in Florida’s Panhandle, Coach Smith grew up in Dade City and graduated from Pasco Comprehensive High School in 1974. While at PCHS he played one year of varsity basketball and baseball, and two years of varsity football and track and field. At Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, he played three years of Division I-AA football and earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Health. He received his master’s degree in Professional Physical Education from the University of South Florida in 1992.

Smith’s coaching career began in 1979 at Zephyrhills Junior High School as a physical education teacher, head football coach, junior varsity boy’s basketball coach, and junior varsity baseball coach. Two years later he moved to Pasco-Hernando Community College where, in addition to being a fulltime academic advisor, he initiated a women’s basketball program and coached the team.

The 2007-08 season marks his 16th working with the women’s basketball program after joining St. Petersburg College in August of 1991. The first two years were spent as assistant to the then head coach John Royal who taught in the Pinellas county school district. Smith spends his summers working with some of the best basketball minds in the business. For the past eight years he has coached at the Lady Vols Basketball camp at the University of Tennessee under the supervision of the legendary Pat Summit. He also has spent summers coaching at the University of Florida under the supervision of Carol Ross and most recently Carolyn Peck. Directed by Coach Gail Goestenkors of Duke University, Smith was selected along with three other Division I & II coaches to assist in training the 2005 USA U19 World Championship Team. The training took place at the U. S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Coach Hammer is also a full-time instructor in the Natural Science and Wellness department.

Away from the game Coach Smith is busy in his community. He is a member of New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Tamps and a member of the Voices of Praise gospel choir. He’s also a member of the Florida Association of Community Colleges; a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated; a member the American Association for Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD); and a member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) where he serves on the Russell Athletics Coach of the Year Committee. He is a frequent guest lecturer at the Chi Chi Rodriquez Youth Foundation in Clearwater, and at area churches and civic organizations.

William Smith is one of 13 children of Willie and Margaret Smith-Scippio. He is married to the former Ruth Hunter and they make their home in Tampa


ASSISTANT COACH - ERIN GWYN

Erin Gwyn is returning for her fifth season with the Lady Titans coaching staff. Coach Gwyn is a native of St. Petersburg and a graduate of St. Petersburg Catholic High School. She is an alumnus of Florida State University, where she was on the Lady Seminole basketball team and earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Psychology. She also earned a master’s degree in Nursing and Public Health from the University of South Florida, and she’s currently a fourth year medical student.

Coach Gwyn will continue as the recruiting coordinator for Pinellas County schools, and she works with the backcourt players. The talent and experience she has at the backcourt position, and her familiarity with the Pinellas county area will facilitate a smooth transition for local prospects.

Gwyn’s coaching resume includes stints as head coach of girl’s basketball at Countryside High School in Clearwater from 1994-1997. She was most recently head coach of girl’s basketball at St. Petersburg’s Northeast High School from 1998-2000. Currently she works as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner at Lakeside Occupational Medical Center.