COLUMBUS, Ohio — Former Ohio State Buckeyes Katie Smith and Jacy Sheldon are now back at their alma mater after being hired for staff positions on the women’s basketball team.
Smith, a 1996 graduate, was named assistant coach on Monday. Sheldon, a 2024 graduate, will serve as the director of player development.
In Sheldon’s role, she will work closely with coaching staff, athletic trainers and conditioning coaches to develop and implement individualized player development plans, according to a release.
“I’m extremely excited to add both Jacy and Katie to the staff,” head coach Kevin McGuff said. “As former Buckeyes, they both possess a passion for this program that will be instrumental in helping us continue to compete at the highest level of women’s college basketball. Together they will have a big presence in the community as we proceed with growing our already incredible fan base.”
About Katie Smith, new assistant coach of Ohio State Women’s Basketball team
Smith is joining the Buckeyes again as assistant head coach. During her time on the team, she led the Buckeyes to a Big Ten Championship and was on the first Big Ten women's basketball team to make an appearance in the NCAA Championship game.
She also became the first freshman since Cheryl Miller to be honored as a Kodak All-American First Team member. She earned the same honor again in her senior year.
After college, Smith went on to earn three gold medals as a member of Team USA in the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympics. She was inducted into Ohio State’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001, and her No. 30 jersey was retired that same year.
Smith also coached in the WNBA for 11 seasons. The last five seasons were spent with the Minnesota Lynx as associate head coach where Smith helped lead the team to the 2024 WNBA Finals.
Before that, she was an assistant coach with the New York Liberty in 2013. That was the same year she retired from WNBA as a player.
She was promoted to associate head coach prior to the 2016 season and then became head coach for the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
“I’m both excited and grateful to return to my alma mater, Ohio State, and to the city my family and I proudly call home,” Smith said. “Ohio State and its women’s basketball program played such a pivotal role in my journey and I am honored to have the opportunity to give back to the program that helped shape me. I look forward to joining Coach McGuff and the entire staff in guiding and supporting these talented young women as they chase their dreams. Together, we’re committed to building on Ohio State’s proud legacy and taking our program to championship levels in a fiercely competitive Big Ten. I can’t wait to see and connect with the Buckeye community – around town and at our games. Go Bucks!”
About Jacy Sheldon, new director of player development for Ohio State Women’s Basketball team
Sheldon is back at Ohio State after spending her rookie season with the Dallas Wings. She was the fifth pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft and played in 40 games. She earned a starting spot midway through the season.
She recorded six double-figure scoring performances.
“I’m so excited to have the opportunity to contribute to a program that did so much for me as a player and a person,” Sheldon said. “As someone who has so much love and respect for this university and this program, I’m grateful to be around this program beyond my playing years.”
During her time as a Buckeye, Sheldon ended as one of three who totaled 1,900 points, 400 rebounds, 350 assists, 200 steals and 150 triples in their Ohio State career. In 2023, she helped lead the team to its first Elite Eight appearance in 30 years.
The Buckeyes also claimed their first outright Big Ten regular season title since 2009-2010 last season.
Sheldon earned her spot on the AP All-American Second Team, USBWA All-American Third Team and The Sporting News All-American Second Team and was a finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award this year.
The team hosts Charlotte on Tuesday at 6 p.m. inside Value City Arena.
