Jack Smiley
Waterloo Hawks Player-Coach | NBA Player & Coach | Illinois Basketball Player
Jack Smiley was born on December 22, 1922, in Sandwich, Illinois. He played college basketball at the University of Illinois and later played professionally with the Fort Wayne Pistons, Anderson Packers, and Waterloo Hawks.
During the 1949-1950 NBA season, Smiley became the player-coach of the Waterloo Hawks. He coached 27 games and finished with an 11-16 record while also playing for the team.
The Waterloo coaching job became Smiley’s only head coaching position in the BAA or NBA.
Coach Smiley passed away on July 30, 2000, at the age of 77.
- Overall Coaching Record: 11-16
Coaching Career
Jack Smiley joined the Waterloo Hawks during the 1949-1950 season after beginning the year as a player with the Anderson Packers.
Waterloo started the season with Charley Shipp as head coach. After Shipp went 8-27, Smiley took over as player-coach and went 11-16 over the final 27 games.
The Hawks finished with a 19-43 record, placed fifth in the Western Division, and missed the playoffs. The 1949-1950 season became Waterloo’s only season in the NBA.
Smiley also appeared in 47 games as a player for Waterloo during the season.
Notable Players Coached
- Dick Mehen
- Led the Waterloo Hawks with 14.4 points per game in 1949-1950
- Johnny Orr
- Future Michigan and Iowa State head coach
- Led Michigan to the 1976 NCAA Championship Game