To be the best you have got to play the best, Smith said. Officials believe the accident happened when Goertzen failed to negotiate [] Ironically, Smith had a clause in his USU contract that would have paid him $5,000 for beating Utah or BYU, but Utah hasnt been on USUs schedule since 2017. Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Utah County (Updated 8/27/21) On Monday, Aug 23, 20201, at about 10:49 pm, a motorcyclist was driving northbound on I-15 approaching a construction zone at milepost 275. New Utah Utes head mens basketball coach Craig Smith at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday, March 27, 2021. Pacific storms, before reaching Utah, must first cross the Sierra or Cascade mountain ranges, sothe prevailing westerly air currents reaching Utah are comparatively dry, resulting in light precipitation over most of the state. The victims identity has not yet been released. Posted in Local, News Tagged 3050 East, Accident, car vs motorcycle, fatal collision, green springs drive, harley davidson, St. George Police Department, utah department of transportation, Utah . What happened during the 2023 Utah Legislature? Prior to taking over the Utah State program, Smith spent four seasons (2015-18) at South Dakota and led the Coyotes to a 79-55 (.590) overall mark including a 38-26 (.594) record in Summit League action. According to UHP, two men, a father and son, were inside a Toyota Tundra traveling southbound on I-15 when their truck drifted off the left side of the road. This is the second deadly motorcycle crash this week. Smith was named the NAIA II National Coach of the Year when the Comets defended their regular season and tournament titles and advanced to the National Championship game in 2007. 13 seed. He began his coaching career at Mayville State his first year out of college in 1997 before taking a graduate assistant position at Northern State the year after, and helped the Wolves advance to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division II Tournament. I have many times used Hylands myself and am a fan of their products. "It is a tremendous league. He inherited a team that went 1-25 the previous season and led the Comets to the NAIA National Championship in his final season before departing for Colorado State. Utah State formalized an earlier agreement with men's basketball coach Craig Smith this week that extends his contract through the 2025-26 season, a deal that adds two years to his previous contract quietly finalized in 2019. Interstate 70 (I-70) is a mainline route of the Interstate Highway System in the United States connecting Utah and Maryland. All rights reserved. I think our style of play really fits a lot of these guys that are currently in the program and I think they have a chance to really shine in a way that maybe they don't even realize at this point we had that same conversation almost three years ago to the day and they better have high expectations. SALT LAKE CITY Just over a week ago, Craig Smith took his team to the NCAA Tournament for third time in three seasons with Utah State. "I think the best teams know how to win in any way. Estimated read time: 4-5 Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Under Craig's leadership, we look forward to continued success in the Mountain West Conference and on a national level.". A member of Tim Miles ' coaching tree, Smith served as an assistant for Miles at four schools - Mayville State, North Dakota State, Colorado State, and Nebraska. Neither motorcyclists identities were immediately released. Although Utah is not the state with the highest number of motorcycle accident deaths per year, any is too many. 06/25/2021 5:00 p.m. DRAPER, Utah (ABC4) - One person is dead after a motorcycle crash on I-15 Friday afternoon. Smith said he is 100 percent committed to building an aggressive, top-notch non-conference schedule, which is music to the ears of Utah fans unimpressed with the non-league schedules that Krystkowiak put together. In the immediate postgame aftermath, Smith felt something. He said hes been able to flip a programs fortunes everywhere hes been, from NAIA Mayville State in North Dakota to South Dakota, where he went 79-55 in four seasons, to Utah State. How qualified is Craig Smith for a Power Five head coaching job? Utah State is 68-22 under Smith, including a 38-13 mark in Mountain West play that includes back-to-back league tournament titles. Named the conference coach of the year following his rookie season, Smith currently owns the best winning percentage in Mountain West history when combining league play and tournament play, a .796 mark that tops BYU's Dave Rose (.781), Nevada's Eric Musselman (.781), San Diego State's Brian Dutcher (.726) and Utah's Rick Majerus (.698). Salt Lake City police said 42-year-old Craig O. Kruse was eastbound on his motorcycle when he drifted across the lanes on the 400 South overpass and collided head-on with a blue Acura RDX in westbound lanes. Our motto is bring on the competition. Under Smith, the Aggies are 68-20 with a 38-11 mark in Mountain West play. Smith said he watched Utah game film well into the night Friday night and also early Saturday morning before meeting with the remaining players. The motorcyclist attempted to stop, then struck the rear passenger door and fender. Of course, I was a GA, so my seat was a nosebleed, Smith half-jokingly told The Salt Lake Tribune during a recent interview. Will he bring the 7-footer to Salt Lake City? He also spent time as an assistant at Nebraska and Colorado State, and went 72-29 in three seasons at Mayville State in North Dakota, including an appearance in the NAIA Division II championship game in his third season. Also, do not allow other people to operate the motorcycle, especially if they are below the legal driving age, do not have the correct license, or have a bad driving record. Information in the story may be outdated The passenger, the son of the driver, was unfortunately killed in the crash. "We really didn't publicize it. Can he walk the walk? SALT LAKE CITY Craig Smith signed a contract with the University of Utah on Saturday to become the new head coach of the men's basketball program, locking in the former Utah State coach. Just over a week ago, Craig Smith took his team to the NCAA Tournament for third time in three seasons with Utah State. One is dead and several others are injured after a stolen pickup truck hit two pedestrians and caused a four-car crash at an intersection at 4100 S Redwood Rd. The amendment, which was signed Dec. 22, 2020, and goes into effect immediately, would add $25,000 in base compensation over the remaining years up to $900,000 beginning in the final year, between April 1, 2025 and March 30, 2026. Jacob Nielson. Salt Lake City Police say at around 10:40 p.m. Wednesday, a motorcyclist was traveling south on 300 West near 900 South. We are going to recruit nationally and internationally, he said. By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's. On March 4, just moments after the final buzzer sounded to solidify a 72-59 Utah State victory over Wyoming, Craig Smith stood on the court, presumably soaking in the scene of the Spectrum in what was the final home game of the season. The Utah section runs eastwest for 232.15 milesacross the central part of the state. Utah State would have gone to three NCAA Tournaments under Smith in as many seasons, had the COVID-19 pandemic not canceled the 2020 Big Dance. Three people taken to hospital after serious accident in Southpo - WENY News. Smith guided USD to back-to-back postseason appearances in his final two season in Vermillion, S.D. Man struck, killed by FrontRunner in Clearfield, West Jordan High teacher arrested, accused of sexual conduct with student, 15-year-old boy dies after being found in crashed car with gunshot wounds, Trapped fox 'severely' injures dog in Draper, prompts warning from city. The Deseret News has been told that Battin and Allen are not ruling out a return to Utah, if the situation feels right with Smith at the helm. Its just always stuck in my mind, and just telling this story, I have to pinch myself because Im now the head coach at the University of Utah and I understand my responsibility with this prestigious program.. This program has a rich tradition of excellence in the history of college basketball., Utah State coach Craig Smith celebrates after a score against UNLV during an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, in Logan, Utah. "My mentality is let's be a part of this program to make it the best possible program you can, and to do that you've got to play and schedule up. Smith became a head coach again on March 24, 2014, when South Dakota athletic director David Herbster named Smith men's basketball head coach. Traffic had been reduced to 3 lanes. Everyone on the road has a part to play in preventing motorcycle accidents. A member of Tim Miles' coaching tree, Smith served as an assistant for Miles at four schools Mayville State, North Dakota State, Colorado State, and Nebraska. The bodies were. According to a news article featured on KSL's website, another two motorcycle riders were killed in accidents on Sunday. Soietyalert learned about the about the death of Craig Smith who has died in a motorcycle accident via a social meida post made by TJ Menlove "Feeling heavy hearted and sad today with the loss of an amazing man . Stock photo.| Photo by Smith stayed within the Big Sky footprint and was as an assistant at Minot State from 1999-2001 before serving as an assistant coach under Tim Miles at North Dakota State (2002-04) with whom he would later work at Colorado State and Nebraska. Taking the Utah job and leaving a successful one in Logan behind was just the right time for myself and my family professionally, he said, expressing thanks to USU players, fans and administrators for his time in Logan. Born November 23, 1970, in. But at Utah State, Smith has found another level of success. The Aggies thrived under the direction of Smith with Sam Merrill becoming the first player in MWC history to garner back-to-back conference tournament MVP honors. (23-7), Thomas & Mack Center He said he will meet with each of them individually this week. That means creating a schedule that's difficult but meets the program's needs to show the NCAA selection committee that Utah is a lock for the Big Dance. Sports. The Utah mens basketball program has fantastic leadership at the top. From first downs to buzzer beaters, get KSL.coms top sports stories delivered to your inbox weekly. forward Riley Battin of Oak Park, California, sophomore forward Lahat Thioune, sophomore guard Jordan Kellier. Smiths notes likely included that that particular Utah team had a ton of size with Hanno Mottola, Britton Johnson and Michael Doleac. process of re-recruiting some to the program. Thats the oft-expressed opinion of those who know the dynamic father of four from the tiny town of Stephen, Minnesota, who energized the Aggies foundering program after Tim Duryea was fired in March of 2018. Anytime youre making a left turn across lanes of travel, theres significant potential for a collision, Bangerter said. During his time in Logan, Smith compiled a 74-24 record with the Aggies while leading USU to three-consecutive 20-plus win seasons, two Mountain West Conference Tournament Championships (2019, 2020) and a regular-season championship. Pac-12 WBB tournament picks: Will Stanford and Utah meet again in final? Here are the details of Utah State's recently formalized extension with Craig Smith through 2026 Most recent Utah Utes stories Patrick Kinahan: Pac-12, Big 12 likely to engage in expansion tussle Lets bring in great teams to Salt Lake City and we will return the favor, he said. The Wasatch Rangeand the Uinta Mountainsare the principal ranges. In those days as a young graduate assistant at a Division II school, Smith made a habit of walking around with a pen and a folded up sheet of paper in his pocket to take notes. "We've got to find a match with our scheme and how that translates to winning. - Sat 3/4 7:00 pm, BSU During his time in Logan, Smith compiled a 74-24 record with the Aggies while leading USU to three-consecutive 20-plus win seasons, two Mountain West Conference Tournament Championships (2019, 2020) and a regular-season championship. . It is also expected that senior guard Alfonso Plummer, who is eligible for the extra year granted by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will chose to move on, although the native of Fajardo, Puerto Rico, has not publicly indicated anything yet. He met with Utahs players Saturday morning, and began the process of re-recruiting some to the program. BYU recently announced a similar extension to the contract of head coach Mark Pope through 2027. Interstate 84 (I-84) is a part of the Interstate Highway System that links Portland, Oregon to I-80 near Echo, Utah. The Alamodome configuration for that Final Four allowed for roughly 40,000 seats, but given Smiths standing in his profession at the time, he was merely happy to be in the building. Smith was 0-3 against BYU, losing to the instate rival in Provo, Salt Lake City and Logan. New University of Utah head coach Craig Smith tours the Huntsman Center on March 27, 2021. Born in Stephen, Minnesota, Smith graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in secondary education and Northern State University in South Dakota with a master's degree in education in 1999. (23-7), USU The veteran head coach takes the helm of his third Division I program after leading both South Dakota and Utah State to multiple postseason tournament appearances. Head Men's Basketball Coach at the University of Utah. This report is based on information provided by law enforcement and may not contain the full scope of findings. In his free time, youll find him watching the Utah Jazz or playing a board game with his wife, hiking in the great outdoors, or sprawled someplace comfortable reading a fantasy novel. The amendment includes an increase to Smith's media rights and endorsement compensation, primarily in the form of his weekly coach's show on radio and internet streaming to a fee of up to $350,000 by 2025-26. It takes courage, it takes a strong backbone, it takes an incredible amount of belief in your coaches and yourself and your teammates to do that. From first downs to buzzer beaters, get KSL.coms top sports stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Find out more about accidents and what issues an injured person needs to be aware of by going to this link. Neemias Queta also saw success at Utah State, collecting freshman of the year honors and defensive player of the year accolades at the end of the 2019 campaign. ", He added that he wants to recruit "winners" or the guys he calls "gym rats," the athletes that want nothing more than basketball in their life. Krystkowiak was the 14th-highest paid college basketball coach in the country after the 2019-20 season, making $3.76 million annually, according to USA Today. [7] Miles promoted Smith to a full assistant coach in 2008. LANCASTER, CA (February 21, 2021) - Saturday night, Craig Smith, 66, died and his three passengers suffered injuries in an accident on 10th Street and Avenue H-12. And all this is playing out during a global pandemic that threatened to bring college sports to a halt, including canceling the NCAA Tournament last year. And, boy, does this gentleman have all those qualities and more.". I tried to email you it's not sending! Smith was named the NABC District 12 Coach of the Year for his efforts after leading USD to just its second Division I conference championship. Smith has already talked to the players currently on the roster and plans to meet with them individually in the coming days, potentially even the guys that have shown their intent to transfer. My family and I are thrilled to join the University of Utah and the community of Salt Lake City, Smith said. "I've had my eye on Craig Smith for a while," Utah athletics director Mark Harlan said as he introduced his first major coaching hire since taking the position at Utah in 2018. Smith compiled a 79-55 record over four seasons with the Coyotes, including a pair of postseason appearances in the NIT and CBI as well as the 2017 Summit League title. If Smith terminates the contract, the coach (or his new employer) would owe the university 25% of the pro-rated contract for the remainder of the terms, according to the deal. ", CU Events Center Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. Merrill also went on to collect two First-Team All-MWC selections and a 2019 AP All-America Honorable Mention nod. "My wife Darcy and I have been married for 25 years, and we have four kids, but my oldest is a sophomore at Utah State. We had an unbelievable group of young men at Utah State for the last three years it was incredible, the growth that they made and we're gonna do the same thing at the University of Utah. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax You've got to be able to stretch out the defense, got to be able to make 3s. (17-13), COLO After visiting with Mark, it became clear that our vision for Utah basketball were aligned. 2. Smith came to Salt Lake City with some familiarity, having served as the head coach at Utah State the past three seasons up in Logan. Our expectation is to win and win at the highest level, and do it in a significant way. This performance earned them their first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 2011. "And, of course, this basketball program has one of the steepest traditions in all of college basketball, and our expectation is to win and win at the highest level, and do it a certain way.". Battin was the fourth Ute and Allen the fifth to enter the portal since the 2020-21 season began, joining sophomore forward Lahat Thioune, sophomore guard Jordan Kellier and guard Brendan Wenzel. In addition, he was a three-time all-conference and all-defensive team selection. So when Smith addressed the media Saturday morning over a Zoom call, his words had a little more weight than the traditional coach-speak or oversimplified platitudes given at an introductory press conference. (23-7), USU On Sunday evening around 7:15 p.m., a local man riding a 2004 Harley Davidson collided with the passenger side of a 2004 Chevrolet Classic as it turned left across his lane on South Green Springs Drive. Should some other school come after Smith, the buyout is 25 percent of whatever is remaining of his base salary. Smith was able to bring USU star Neemias Queta to Logan from Portugal. The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) annually offers its members the opportunity to purchase Final Four tickets, so in 1998, Smith, then a 26-year-old graduate assistant at Northern State, was fortunate enough to be in San Antonio to attend his second Final Four. Two nights later, Smith went back to the Alamodome as the Utes took a 10-point halftime lead in the national championship against the Wildcats, but ultimately succumbed to Kentuckys superior depth in losing, 78-69. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Like, it's that important to them.". The mid-40s man, whose identity has not been released, was transported to St. George Regional Hospital where he died shortly thereafter, Bangerter said. Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2021, all rights reserved. Awareness of the problems confronting motorcycle drivers is one way to help prevent the growing number of motorcycle accidents because drivers can modify their behavior to avoid the common pitfalls that face motorcycle riders. New University of Utah head coach Craig Smith tours the Huntsman Center on March 27, 2021. Eli Lucero/Herald Journal. Select this result to view Craig R Smith's phone number, address, and more. Daisy-Daisy/iStock/Getty Images Plus, St. George News, Copyright 2010 - 2023 StGeorgeUtah.com LLC, all rights reserved. Smith is a Stephen, Minn., native and a 1996 graduate of the University of North Dakota, where he earned his bachelors degree in secondary education.