Men’s head basketball coach and athletic director Matt O’Brien has added two assistant graduates, MJ Smith and Broderick Stewart, to his basketball team for the 2023–2024 season.
MJ Smith, originally from Stillwater, Oklahoma, and a 2023 graduate of Bethany College with a degree in exercise science, played at Bethany for the last three years under coach Dan O’Dowd and helped the Swedes have three successful seasons.
Smith has been a five-year KCAC conference player, previously with Oklahoma Wesleyan before joining Bethany. His experience in the KCAC will help in understanding the level of talent required to be successful in the KCAC.
“Southwestern is a great team and a great school. I can’t wait to work and learn under Coach O’Brien and his staff,” said Smith.
O’Brien added. “We are delighted to add MJ to our team, he knows KCAC and has learned under some very good coaches. He will be a great addition to our team, as well as to our campus and the Winfield community.”
Smith will support both the JV and varsity teams and oversee some of the program’s player development.
Broderick Stewart is from Emporia and holds a bachelor’s degree in sports leadership and recreation from Emporia State University.
Stewart has been a student assistant to three-time national champion Craig Doty for the past four years. During his time at ESU, Stewart was able to assist in all aspects of the program such as recruitment, opponent scouting and player development which led to ESU reaching the national tournament.
“I’m excited to continue my coaching journey and can’t wait to learn under Coach O’Brien,” said Stewart.
O’Brien added: “We are delighted to add Broderick to our team. He learned from a great team during his time as a student assistant at Emporia. His familiarity with Kansas will aid in our goal of recruiting local talent. He will be a great addition to our team, as well as to our campus and the Winfield community.”
Broderick will support both the JV and varsity teams and oversee some of the program’s player development.
Comments are closed.