Kansas State University Athletics
Tennis
Smith, Jordan
Jordan Smith
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- jsmith@kstatesports.com
- Phone:
- (785) 320-0216
THE JORDAN SMITH FILE
Born: January 7, 1989 (Memphis, Tenn.)
High School: El Camino High School (Ventura, Calif.)
College: Memphis, Political Science, 2011
Playing Career
Memphis, 2007-11
Coaching Career
Memphis, Volunteer Assistant Coach, 2012
The Racquet Club of Memphis, Teaching Professional, 2011-14
National Junior Team Coach, Southern Section, 2012-14
Middle Tennessee State, Assistant Coach, 2014-15
K-State, Assistant Coach, 2015-18
K-State, Associate Head Coach, 2018
K-State, Head Coach, 2018-pres.
Career Record
52-72 (9-40 Big 12) - 7th season
Jordan Smith, who has been a part of the K-State women’s tennis program since 2015, was named the seventh head women's tennis coach in program history by K-State director of athletics Gene Taylor on July 2, 2018. He was elevated to the position after serving an assistant coach from 2015-18, including as associate head coach in 2017-18.
In his first season at the helm of the Wildcats, he led K-State to a 13-11 record (2-7 Big 12) with a victory in the opening round of the 2019 Big 12 Tennis Championship against West Virginia. The Cats reached a national ranking as high as No. 33 following seven victories in eight matches, including wins over No. 39 SMU and No. 40 Wichita State. K-State was ranked for six consecutive weeks in the ITA rankings from February 19-March 26.
During the 2023-24 season, his sixth at the helm, he marked his 50th career win on April 7 against Houston, a season in which the Wildcats went 12-12, (4-9 Big 12), advancing to the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 tournament in the first year with 14 teams.
In 2019, sophomore Anna Turco earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors in singles after a team-best 14-7 singles mark during the spring. Turco also had a team-high five wins during Big 12 play, as she finished the season at the No. 1 spot in the lineup for the first time in her career. Additionally, freshman Karine-Marion Job was tabbed Big 12 Newcomer of the Week on February 19 after helping K-State clinch victories over North Texas and Arizona.
During the 2021-22Â campaign, Smith finished the season 10-13Â (1-8Â Big 12) advancing to the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Championships.Â
Smith's second season posted an 8-4 mark in non-conference play just before the 2019-20 campaign was cut short. K-State reached a national ranking of No. 38 in the ITA polls during the year with three players achieving national rankings in singles and doubles play. With a trio of juniors holding the top of the lineup in singles play, the Wildcats posted 37 total victories in dual match play for the 2020 spring campaign. With the guidance of Smith, the Cats produced clutch performances late in the matches against Arizona and Nebraska to secure two of the team's eight victories. The Wildcats also garnered a four-match win streak during the weeks of January 31-February 9, where the team defeated Wichita State, Missouri, North Texas and Arizona in that stretch.Â
During the Fall of 2019, K-State made a drastic improvement when competing in national events such as the ITA All-American Championships and the ITA Central Regionals. Under Smith, Maria Linares earned a spot in the qualifying round at the ITA All-American Championships while Anna Turco and Margot Decker earned a few victories in the doubles portion of the tournament. In the first fall tournament of the year, sophomore Rosanna Maffei would clinch the Flight A title down in Auburn, Alabama during the Marliss Gruver Fall Invitational in which she pulled off four straight victories to take home the crown.
Smith's first year as the head coach marked his fourth season at K-State, serving as assistant coach for two seasons before being promoted to associate head coach in January 2018. He replaced Danielle Steinberg, who was introduced as the head coach of Colorado on June 12, 2018 after four years at K-State. Smith had been serving as interim head coach following Steinberg’s departure.
Smith has helped the Wildcats rise to new heights and garner national recognition, as the program has risen each year under his watch. 2018 saw the Cats reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2003, reaching the Round of 32 after they defeated No. 26 Kentucky, 4-3.
K-State broke into the national rankings in 2018 on February 23 and reached a ranking as high as No. 28 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) poll, the highest team ranking since 2003. It was the Cats’ first week inside the ITA’s team rankings since 2014 and K-State remained ranked for the rest of the season, ending the year as the country’s 39th-ranked program.
A well-known recruiter, Smith played a large role in bringing the nation’s No. 14 recruiting class to Manhattan for the 2017-18 season, according to TennisRecruiting.net. The national recruiting recognition was the highest of any Big 12 program in 2017 and best in K-State history.
The young talent propelled K-State to one of its most successful seasons in recent history. During the spring campaign, the Wildcats equaled the second-highest win total in school history as it posted a 15-11 (4-5 Big 12) record. The Cats finished tied for fifth in the league standings, their first top-five finish in 12 seasons.
In the 2017 fall season, the Cats picked up a total of five individual tournament titles and combined for a 44-27 singles mark and a 41-18 doubles record. Four Wildcat freshmen posted a collective record of 25-11 in singles play while going 25-7 in doubles, with a total of four victories over nationally ranked opponents.
Several Wildcats received conference and regional recognition during their historic 2018 campaign. Maria Linares was tabbed Big 12 Freshman of the Year after a team-best 14-7 singles record from the No. 2 spot. Margot Decker, also a freshman, was named to the league’s Second Team in both singles and doubles with her playing partner, senior Carolina Costamagna. Decker and Linares each also earned All-Freshman Team nods.
Four freshmen occupied the Wildcats’ singles lineup, compiling a combined 44-35 mark. Decker, playing at the top position, reached a national ranking of 104 during season and had four victories over ITA-ranked opponents.
Additionally, the ITA has recognized the Wildcats with all-academic team honors from each season under Smith. Ines Mesquita was selected to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team while Linares and Rosanna Maffei and Anna Turco were each earned spots on the Big 12’s Academic All-Rookie Team.
Prior to his time at K-State, Smith most recently served as an assistant with the Middle Tennessee State men’s tennis program, where he helped the Blue Raiders to a 13-13 record while also being responsible for the 25th-best recurring class in 2015.
A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Smith spent his playing career at the University of Memphis from 2007-11, where he played at the No. 1 singles and doubles positions and reached as high as a No. 47 ranking in doubles during the 2010 season. He compiled a 48-26 doubles record for the Tigers while collecting a pair of ITA tournament championships.
In addition to playing at Memphis, Smith was a volunteer assistant coach for the Tigers’ women’s tennis program in 2012 and helped guide the team to a 16-5 record. After his coaching stint with the Tigers, Smith also worked as a teaching pro at the Racquet Club of Memphis while also serving as a coach for the National Junior Team for the Southern Section.
An ITA Scholar-Athlete, Smith graduated from the University of Memphis in 2011 with a degree in political science with a minor in management.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT JORDAN SMITH
“I am thrilled for Jordan and excited he is able to continue what we started and lead K-State tennis to new heights. He invested his all in the rebuilding process of the program and is absolutely deserving to be its new leader. Jordan is a hard-working, passionate coach and he will do things the right way. The team loves and respects him, and no question they will be thrilled to have him as their new head coach.”
- Danielle Steinberg, Colorado head women’s tennis coach (former K-State head coach)
“Kansas State fans should be very excited about the hire of Jordan Smith. Jordan is a coach with high character, a hard work ethic and has a true passion for the sport of tennis. There is no doubt that he will help his future student-athletes both on and off the court.”
- Paul Goebel, Memphis head men’s tennis coach
“I couldn’t be more proud and happy for a former player and good friend to get this opportunity he so much deserves. I’ve known Jordan for over 15 years. He is one of the most loyal and consistent individuals out there and I have no doubt he’s going to build upon the great success K-State recently had. He’s got a vision and a plan for everything, and yet he’s a player’s coach and relates well to them. Congrats to K-State on a solid hire!”
- Lee Taylor Walker, TCU head women’s tennis coach
Born: January 7, 1989 (Memphis, Tenn.)
High School: El Camino High School (Ventura, Calif.)
College: Memphis, Political Science, 2011
Playing Career
Memphis, 2007-11
Coaching Career
Memphis, Volunteer Assistant Coach, 2012
The Racquet Club of Memphis, Teaching Professional, 2011-14
National Junior Team Coach, Southern Section, 2012-14
Middle Tennessee State, Assistant Coach, 2014-15
K-State, Assistant Coach, 2015-18
K-State, Associate Head Coach, 2018
K-State, Head Coach, 2018-pres.
Career Record
52-72 (9-40 Big 12) - 7th season
Jordan Smith, who has been a part of the K-State women’s tennis program since 2015, was named the seventh head women's tennis coach in program history by K-State director of athletics Gene Taylor on July 2, 2018. He was elevated to the position after serving an assistant coach from 2015-18, including as associate head coach in 2017-18.
In his first season at the helm of the Wildcats, he led K-State to a 13-11 record (2-7 Big 12) with a victory in the opening round of the 2019 Big 12 Tennis Championship against West Virginia. The Cats reached a national ranking as high as No. 33 following seven victories in eight matches, including wins over No. 39 SMU and No. 40 Wichita State. K-State was ranked for six consecutive weeks in the ITA rankings from February 19-March 26.
During the 2023-24 season, his sixth at the helm, he marked his 50th career win on April 7 against Houston, a season in which the Wildcats went 12-12, (4-9 Big 12), advancing to the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 tournament in the first year with 14 teams.
In 2019, sophomore Anna Turco earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors in singles after a team-best 14-7 singles mark during the spring. Turco also had a team-high five wins during Big 12 play, as she finished the season at the No. 1 spot in the lineup for the first time in her career. Additionally, freshman Karine-Marion Job was tabbed Big 12 Newcomer of the Week on February 19 after helping K-State clinch victories over North Texas and Arizona.
During the 2021-22Â campaign, Smith finished the season 10-13Â (1-8Â Big 12) advancing to the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Championships.Â
Smith's second season posted an 8-4 mark in non-conference play just before the 2019-20 campaign was cut short. K-State reached a national ranking of No. 38 in the ITA polls during the year with three players achieving national rankings in singles and doubles play. With a trio of juniors holding the top of the lineup in singles play, the Wildcats posted 37 total victories in dual match play for the 2020 spring campaign. With the guidance of Smith, the Cats produced clutch performances late in the matches against Arizona and Nebraska to secure two of the team's eight victories. The Wildcats also garnered a four-match win streak during the weeks of January 31-February 9, where the team defeated Wichita State, Missouri, North Texas and Arizona in that stretch.Â
During the Fall of 2019, K-State made a drastic improvement when competing in national events such as the ITA All-American Championships and the ITA Central Regionals. Under Smith, Maria Linares earned a spot in the qualifying round at the ITA All-American Championships while Anna Turco and Margot Decker earned a few victories in the doubles portion of the tournament. In the first fall tournament of the year, sophomore Rosanna Maffei would clinch the Flight A title down in Auburn, Alabama during the Marliss Gruver Fall Invitational in which she pulled off four straight victories to take home the crown.
Smith's first year as the head coach marked his fourth season at K-State, serving as assistant coach for two seasons before being promoted to associate head coach in January 2018. He replaced Danielle Steinberg, who was introduced as the head coach of Colorado on June 12, 2018 after four years at K-State. Smith had been serving as interim head coach following Steinberg’s departure.
Smith has helped the Wildcats rise to new heights and garner national recognition, as the program has risen each year under his watch. 2018 saw the Cats reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2003, reaching the Round of 32 after they defeated No. 26 Kentucky, 4-3.
K-State broke into the national rankings in 2018 on February 23 and reached a ranking as high as No. 28 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) poll, the highest team ranking since 2003. It was the Cats’ first week inside the ITA’s team rankings since 2014 and K-State remained ranked for the rest of the season, ending the year as the country’s 39th-ranked program.
A well-known recruiter, Smith played a large role in bringing the nation’s No. 14 recruiting class to Manhattan for the 2017-18 season, according to TennisRecruiting.net. The national recruiting recognition was the highest of any Big 12 program in 2017 and best in K-State history.
The young talent propelled K-State to one of its most successful seasons in recent history. During the spring campaign, the Wildcats equaled the second-highest win total in school history as it posted a 15-11 (4-5 Big 12) record. The Cats finished tied for fifth in the league standings, their first top-five finish in 12 seasons.
In the 2017 fall season, the Cats picked up a total of five individual tournament titles and combined for a 44-27 singles mark and a 41-18 doubles record. Four Wildcat freshmen posted a collective record of 25-11 in singles play while going 25-7 in doubles, with a total of four victories over nationally ranked opponents.
Several Wildcats received conference and regional recognition during their historic 2018 campaign. Maria Linares was tabbed Big 12 Freshman of the Year after a team-best 14-7 singles record from the No. 2 spot. Margot Decker, also a freshman, was named to the league’s Second Team in both singles and doubles with her playing partner, senior Carolina Costamagna. Decker and Linares each also earned All-Freshman Team nods.
Four freshmen occupied the Wildcats’ singles lineup, compiling a combined 44-35 mark. Decker, playing at the top position, reached a national ranking of 104 during season and had four victories over ITA-ranked opponents.
Additionally, the ITA has recognized the Wildcats with all-academic team honors from each season under Smith. Ines Mesquita was selected to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team while Linares and Rosanna Maffei and Anna Turco were each earned spots on the Big 12’s Academic All-Rookie Team.
Prior to his time at K-State, Smith most recently served as an assistant with the Middle Tennessee State men’s tennis program, where he helped the Blue Raiders to a 13-13 record while also being responsible for the 25th-best recurring class in 2015.
A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Smith spent his playing career at the University of Memphis from 2007-11, where he played at the No. 1 singles and doubles positions and reached as high as a No. 47 ranking in doubles during the 2010 season. He compiled a 48-26 doubles record for the Tigers while collecting a pair of ITA tournament championships.
In addition to playing at Memphis, Smith was a volunteer assistant coach for the Tigers’ women’s tennis program in 2012 and helped guide the team to a 16-5 record. After his coaching stint with the Tigers, Smith also worked as a teaching pro at the Racquet Club of Memphis while also serving as a coach for the National Junior Team for the Southern Section.
An ITA Scholar-Athlete, Smith graduated from the University of Memphis in 2011 with a degree in political science with a minor in management.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT JORDAN SMITH
“I am thrilled for Jordan and excited he is able to continue what we started and lead K-State tennis to new heights. He invested his all in the rebuilding process of the program and is absolutely deserving to be its new leader. Jordan is a hard-working, passionate coach and he will do things the right way. The team loves and respects him, and no question they will be thrilled to have him as their new head coach.”
- Danielle Steinberg, Colorado head women’s tennis coach (former K-State head coach)
“Kansas State fans should be very excited about the hire of Jordan Smith. Jordan is a coach with high character, a hard work ethic and has a true passion for the sport of tennis. There is no doubt that he will help his future student-athletes both on and off the court.”
- Paul Goebel, Memphis head men’s tennis coach
“I couldn’t be more proud and happy for a former player and good friend to get this opportunity he so much deserves. I’ve known Jordan for over 15 years. He is one of the most loyal and consistent individuals out there and I have no doubt he’s going to build upon the great success K-State recently had. He’s got a vision and a plan for everything, and yet he’s a player’s coach and relates well to them. Congrats to K-State on a solid hire!”
- Lee Taylor Walker, TCU head women’s tennis coach
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