MJ Smith joined the Bison men’s basketball program before the 2025-26 season. In his first year assisting the team, he helped OBU to a 31-4 record, advanced to the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four and claimed the outright regular season championship of the Great American Conference.

OBU’s season was the best-ever by a men’s team in GAC history. Along the way, Smith was a part of an 18-game winning streak, helped coach GAC Player of the Year and All-American Terry Coner Jr., and saw the green and gold reach a program-best ranking of No. 6 by the NABC.

Smith's collegiate career came at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan. He played three seasons and earned his Bachelor's in exercise science. On top of that, Smith earned his Master's in Sports Management in May of 2025.