Dayna Smith (basketball)

For the American photojournalist, see Dayna Smith.

Donna Smith

Current position
Title	Director of Player Development
Team	UMass
Conference	Atlantic 10
Playing career
1992–1996	Rhode Island
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1996–1999	Rhode Island (assistant)
1999	Rhode Island (interim HC)
1999–2002	Penn (assistant)
2002–2024	Cornell
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
2024–present	UMass (Women's Basketball Director of Player Development)

Dayna Smith is an American basketball player and coach who is currently the director of player development for the UMass Minutewomen basketball team. ^[1] She previously was the head coach of the Cornell Big Red women's basketball team for 22 seasons from 2002 until 2024. ^[2]

Coaching career

She was dismissed following a disappointing 2023–24 season where the team was tied for last-place in Ivy League standings. ^[3] During her tenure at Cornell, the women's basketball team won one regular season conference championship and qualified for one NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament, both in 2008. ^[4]

Administrative career

On September 5, 2024, Smith was hired as director of player development for the UMass Minutewomen basketball team. ^[5]

References

1. "Dayna Smith - Women's Basketball Coach". University of Massachusetts Athletics. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
2. Hatfield, Jenn (March 12, 2024). "After 22 years, Dayna Smith is out as Cornell's head coach". The Next. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
3. McNally, Jane (March 11, 2024). "Dayna Smith Removed as Head Coach of Women's Basketball After 21 Years in Position". The Cornell Daily Sun . Retrieved February 25, 2025.
4. "Dayna Smith Coaching Record". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
5. "Smith Joins Women's Basketball Staff as Director of Player Development". University of Massachusetts Athletics. Retrieved February 25, 2025.