June 30, 2022 at 8:44 a.m.
Hodag hoops assistant Smith hired to lead rival Robins
Hodag hoops assistant Smith hired to lead rival Robins
Shaun Smith, who as served as a Hodag assistant coach the past three seasons, has been hired as the new head coach of the Red Robins. Antigo activities director Tom Schofield announced the hiring in a press release Monday.
"Shaun Smith comes to take over the head boys varsity coaching position in Antigo with over 10 years of coaching experience at various levels," the press release stated. "Most recently, he was the varsity assistant coach at Rhinelander High School for the past three seasons. Smith is a native of Blue River, Wis., and a Riverdale alum. He attended UW-Marathon where he played basketball for two years. Smith is excited to join the Antigo Red Robin basketball family, and is already preparing for the upcoming season."
Smith takes over the program from Cory Reetz who stepped down after going a combined 5-33 in two seasons with the Robins.
When contacted by the River News, Smith said he has had aspirations of a head-coaching job, and could not pass up the opportunity.
"When the Antigo job opened up I thought it would be good to put myself through the process," he said. "When I was offered the job, I took a lot of time thinking about it and you never know when an opportunity arises, you never know if you'll get another one. It was just too good to pass up because it's always something I wanted to do. Coach (Derek) Lemmens is going to be the head coach of the Hodags for quite some time, so that wasn't gonna happen here."
For his part, Lemmens said "Antigo basketball just got better" with the Smith hire.
"They have a big team. They have some size. The have some pieces and I think he's going to make them a much better team this year and he knows what it takes to build a program too.
"Ideally, he doesn't go to a place like Antigo, but it's good for him. He deserves it. He's ready for it."
Smith is the father of three-year varsity starter and UW-Superior recruit Jacksen Smith, who earned first-team All-GNC honors for the Hodags this past winter, leading the team averaging 17.4 points per game.
Shaun Smith got a front-row seat for much of that run on the Hodag bench and said he picked up a new appreciation for coaching from Lemmens and the rest of the Rhinelander staff.
"I have learned a ton about coaching from being with the Hodags, as far Xs and Os go, team management, the whole nine yards," he said. "My time on the bench and getting to know coach Lemmens, he's just one of the greatest dudes I've ever met. He's taught me a lot about life in general. It was more than hoops when I was on the bench.
"I'm very thankful to the entire coaching staff of the Hodags, most importantly coach Lemmens. None of this would be possible if it wasn't for him."
Rhinelander has won 12 of the last 13 games over Antigo, dating back to the infamous stall game in the 2016 WIAA playoffs. The Robins, under then head coach Jesse Shaw, spent much of that game holding the ball at half court against a passive Rhinelander zone before hitting a 3-at the buzzer to beat the Hodags, 14-11.
Smith becomes Antigo's third different head coach since then. Ivan Flannery held the position in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons before Reetz took over.
According to the preliminary GNC calendar, Smith's first meeting against his old team will come Jan. 10, 2023 in Antigo. The Robins are slated to come to Rhinelander Feb. 17.
"I wish those two dates could be off my calendar," Smith said. "A lot of those players I've spent a lot of time with and it's going to be tough. Those two nights I'll be cheering for the Red Robins, but I can tell you most other nights, unless I'd need somebody else to beat the Hodags to help me out, I'll be cheering for the Rhinelander Hodags and those kids."
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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