Tanner Smith is set to begin his third season at App State in the 2025-26 season after being hired by Dustin Kerns on June 1, 2023.

Smith was once again instrumental to the success of App State in 2024-25 as he helped guide the Mountaineers to 17 wins overall and 10 wins in league play. Smith has been a part of 26 conference wins in his first two seasons at App State and back-to-back 10-win seasons in league play, which is the first time App State has won at least 10 conference games in back-to-back seasons since the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons. 

Under the tutelage of Smith, Myles Tate became one of the best players in the Sun Belt Conference and was selected to the All-Sun Belt Conference first team in 2024-25. Tate finished the season ranked in the Sun Belt's top-25 in scoring (fourth), assists (second), assists per game (first), steals (second) and steals per game (second). Smith also saw Tate garner All-NABC South Atlantic District honors in 2024-25. 

In Smith's second season at App State in 2024-25, the App State defense was stellar yet again as it led the Sun Belt Conference in scoring defense for the fourth straight season. App State has led the Sun Belt in scoring defense each year that Smith has been on the staff. Additionally, the Mountaineers finished with top-50 national marks in field-goal percentage defense (ninth), fouls per game (sixth) and 3-point field-goal percentage defense (eighth). 

In his first season in the High Country in 2023-24, Smith helped guide the Mountaineers to a program-record 27 wins, an outright regular-season championship for the first time since 1978-79, an undefeated record at home for the first time in the Division I era and an NIT postseason appearance for the first time since 2006-07. Smith has now been a part of two regular-season champion teams in his coaching career. 

Smith was integral in App State's preparation for each game and his work paid off as the Mountaineers led the Sun Belt in scoring defense and blocks per game in 2023-24. Offensively, App State averaged 78.4 points per game, which was the highest-scoring average in the Kerns era. The Mountaineers' balance between efficient scoring and staunch defense helped lead to the 19th-best scoring margin the country. 

A former guard at Clemson, Smith's tutelage to the Mountaineer guards translated to the Mountaineers turning the ball over at the second-lowest clip in the Sun Belt. Myles Tate finished fourth in the conference in assists per game and assist/turnover ratio. App State saw two players finish the season in the top five in assist/turnover ratio in Smith's first season. 

After the 2023-24 season, Smith was selected to be a participant at the Jay Bilas Coaches Leadership Program, joining Frank Young as the second App State assistant coach to attend the program in the Kerns era. He also participated in the prestigious TopConnect Basketball Symposium prior to the 2023-24 season.

"Tanner Smith is the full package," Kerns said. "He is a great fit for App State, a great fit for our staff and a great fit for our players. Tanner has a bright mind and will help our program in many ways. Not only is he a tireless recruiter and great at player development, but most importantly, he is a great person who will develop great relationships with our players. He and his wife, Julia, will have a positive impact in the Boone community."

"I'm humbled and honored to be joining the staff at App State," Smith said. "Coach Kerns and his staff have done a fantastic job in Boone over the last four years. I'm excited to be a part of such a special culture with special young men. My wife and I look forward to investing our time, energy and effort into the community, university and our players."

Smith came to App State after a two-year stint at Stephen F. Austin, where he also served as an assistant coach. During his first season with the Lumberjacks, they were the regular season champions in the Western Atlantic Conference.

In the 2022-23 season, Smith helped lead Stephen F. Austin to a top-25 finish in the nation in turnovers forced (18.1, 3rd), bench points (28.2, 8th), three-point percentage (38.2, 14th) and steals (8.9, 15th). He primarily worked with the guards and wings while also serving as the coordinator of defense for the Lumberjacks.

A former standout player at Clemson, Smith finished his illustrious career with 986 points, 459 rebounds, 320 assists and 159 steals while helping Clemson earn three NCAA Tournament bids. A 42.9 percent career shooter from the floor, Smith was the first player in Clemson history and the only ACC player in 2012 to average at least 10 points, five rebounds and four assists.

Following his career at Clemson, Smith played two seasons overseas, first with Dutch club Landstede Basketball and then with MHP Risen Ludwigsburg in Germany. He joined the coaching ranks as a director of basketball operations with the Charlotte 49ers, eventually earning a promotion to assistant coach in 2017. From there, he transitioned to Mississippi State, serving as director of operations while the Bulldogs earned their first NCAA Tournament bid in 10 seasons.

Smith then joined the staff at Kennesaw State and helped the Owls land a top-50 recruiting class in the nation in 2020 before heading to Stephen F. Austin for the following two seasons.

In addition to coaching, Smith founded the non-profit organization Tanner's Totes, which provides care packages and support for kids battling cancer. He was recognized as a Community Hero by the Atlanta Braves in 2017 for his work with Tanner's Totes. 

Smith graduated from Clemson with a bachelor's degree in Marketing in 2012. He and his wife, Julia, were married on May 4, 2018, in Atlanta.