For former Ohio State basketball stars Katie Smith and Jacy Sheldon, the opportunity to rejoin the Buckeyes' coaching staff was a homecoming they couldn't pass up. With their wealth of experience and deep ties to the program, these two women are poised to make a significant impact on the team's future success.

Bringing Legendary Expertise Back to Columbus

Katie Smith's Illustrious Career Comes Full Circle

Katie Smith, a Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, has had an extraordinary career that has spanned both the professional and international stages. As a player, she won two ABL and two WNBA championships, earned seven WNBA All-Star selections, and was named the WNBA Finals MVP in 2008. Smith also represented the United States Women's National Team, winning gold medals at the 2000, 2004, and 2008 Olympics. After a decade of WNBA coaching experience, including a stint as the head coach of the New York Liberty, Smith has now returned to her alma mater to share her wealth of knowledge with the next generation of Buckeyes.

Jacy Sheldon's Seamless Transition from Player to Coach

Jacy Sheldon's journey from Buckeye player to Buckeye coach has been a remarkably swift one. Less than a year after completing her final season with the Ohio State women's basketball team, Sheldon is now joining the coaching staff as the director of player development. Her intimate understanding of the program's system and her recent experience as a WNBA rookie with the Dallas Wings make her uniquely qualified to guide the current Buckeyes in their on-court and off-court development.

Timing and Opportunity Align for the Homecoming

Both Smith and Sheldon acknowledge that the timing of their return to Ohio State was not entirely within their control. "Timing is not your own," Smith said, emphasizing that when opportunities arise, it's about finding the right fit. For Sheldon, her initial plans to play overseas during the WNBA offseason were derailed by a lower-leg injury, leading her to reach out to head coach Kevin McGuff about joining the staff.

Embracing New Roles and Responsibilities

While Smith's role as an assistant coach under McGuff is a natural progression in her career, Sheldon's position as the director of player development is described as an "evolving" one. Nonetheless, both women are eager to leverage their experiences to positively impact the Buckeyes. Sheldon is excited to help the team develop both on and off the court, drawing on her intimate knowledge of the program's system and her recent WNBA experience. Smith, on the other hand, is poised to make a significant impact on the Buckeyes' frontcourt, an area of emphasis for the team this season.

Balancing Opportunities and Personal Priorities

Despite the allure of potential head coaching opportunities in the WNBA, Smith has chosen to prioritize her personal life and family in Columbus. The Logan native, who got married last year and has two children, one of whom is a freshman at Ohio State, cited the importance of work-life balance and spending time with her aging parents as key factors in her decision to join the Buckeyes' coaching staff.

Eager to Contribute to the Buckeyes' Success

Both Smith and Sheldon are thrilled to be back in Columbus, eager to contribute to the Buckeyes' success. While they may have missed the team's season opener, they are expected to be on the bench for the upcoming matchup against Charlotte on November 12th, ready to put their expertise and passion to work in support of the program they once represented as players.