Ithaca College announced today that Jess Smith will join its women's basketball program as an assistant coach for the upcoming 2026‑27 season, bringing a blend of playing pedigree and professional experience.
A Strategic Addition to the Coaching Roster
Smith arrives after a season as an assistant at Haverford College and a stint with the Dallas Wings, where she helped design and run basketball camps and clinics across California.
Her playing career at Bryn Mawr College culminated in a standout senior year, during which she started 74 games, scored 1,125 points and pulled down 474 rebounds, earning two‑time All‑Centennial Conference Second Team honors.
Beyond the box score, Smith was a team captain and co‑president of the Bryn Mawr Athletic Alliance, and she led the Student‑Athlete Advisory Committee’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.
Erin Hughes, the head coach of the Ithaca women's basketball team, highlighted Smith’s leadership and her ability to connect with student‑athletes, saying the hire aligns with the program’s growing emphasis on holistic development.
The addition of Smith is part of a broader effort to enrich the coaching staff’s expertise, a move that also reflects the college’s partnership with institutions such as Villanova Athletics and its participation in the Centennial Conference.
Smith’s academic background, including an internship with Villanova’s Academic Support unit, further underscores the program’s commitment to integrating athletic ambition with scholarly achievement.