Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Katiana Smith

Cleveland,OH

Summary

Dynamic basketball coach with a motivational leadership style, recognized for developing game strategies and enhancing player performance at Legends U. Proven success in player evaluations and practice planning, fostering a competitive environment that led to multiple team championships. Committed to athlete growth and teamwork, ensuring a positive and productive coaching experience.

Overview

10
10
years of professional experience

Work History

Basketball Coach

Legends U (AAU)
12.2022 - Current
  • Provided individual and small-group instruction in core areas such as shooting mechanics, defensive positioning, basketball IQ, and conditioning.
  • Assisted with in-game coaching, including managing substitutions, analyzing opponent strategies, and communicating adjustments to players.
  • Built strong relationships with players to foster confidence, leadership, and a team-first mindset.
  • Promoted college exposure by supporting athlete highlight videos, communications with college coaches, and participation in showcase events.

Head Softball Coach (middle School)

Laurel School
09.2021 - Current
  • Managed schedule of practices, games, and special events.
  • Utilized various coaching models and techniques to maximize success and growth.
  • Facilitated team building activities and workshops to improve communication, collaboration and productivity.

Head Volleyball Coach

Laurel School
09.2021 - Current
  • Instructed players, both individually and in groups, on rules and regulations for volleyball.
  • Scheduled and organized all practice sessions for volleyball athletes with help of assistant coaches.
  • Maintained open-door policy with volleyball players, enabling free discuss of concerns or issues without fear of reprisal.
  • Collaborated with athletic director in hiring of assistant coaches and other staff members.
  • Stretched, warmed up, and completed conditioning exercises properly to reduce injuries.
  • Prepared athletes for special competitions and tournaments.
  • Coordinated with parents, boosters, and other resources to meet team needs involving equipment and travel arrangements.
  • Worked individually with players when struggling to enhancer confidence and strengthen court skills.
  • Created positive and encouraging environment to motivate athletes to give best efforts.

Head JV Girls Basketball Coach

Laurel School
09.2021 - Current
  • Evaluated individual knowledge, skills, and strengths, and assigned team positions to maximize talent areas.
  • Managed drills and fitness circuits to bolster athletes' coordination and performance levels.
  • Participated in fundraising events, helping team bring in funds to pay for travel and other expenses.
  • Offered constructive feedback to players to help reach goals.
  • Developed relationships with players to provide ongoing support and encouragement.
  • Coordinated special events such as pre-season tryouts, training camps and special workshops to support team goals.

Assistant Girls Varsity Basketball Coach

Laurel School
07.2021 - Current
  • Assisted head coach in developing and implementing practice plans, offensive/defensive strategies, and game preparation
  • Fostered a positive, disciplined, and growth-focused team culture, emphasizing accountability and teamwork.
  • Provided individual skill development for players in areas such as shooting, ball handling, footwork, and defensive technique.
  • Analyzed game film and statistics to identify improvement areas and contribute to scouting reports.
  • Coordinated transportation

Youth Skills Development Coach

Cleveland Cavaliers
12.2015 - Current
  • Coached and developed athletes ages 5 to 16 through structured basketball clinics, camps, and training sessions.
  • Implemented fundamental skill development in shooting, dribbling, defense, and team play aligned with Cavaliers coaching philosophy.
  • Provided individualized feedback to support player growth in both technical ability and basketball IQ.
  • Fostered a positive, inclusive, and high-energy learning environment focused on teamwork, sportsmanship, and character development.
  • Assisted with game-day operations, drills, and youth events hosted by the Cavaliers organization for playoff games.

Assistant Track and Field Coach

Laurel School
03.2022 - 03.2023
  • Facilitated group coaching sessions and provided individual coaching support.
  • Utilized various coaching models and techniques to maximize player success.
  • Provided guidance to athletes in overcoming challenges and identifying opportunities.
  • Demonstrated a high level of initiative and creativity while tackling difficult tasks.

Director of Player Development

Swish365-solon
09.2018 - 02.2022
  • Developed program content and training techniques for sports performance.
  • Oversaw training facility maintenance, inventory management, equipment selection and environmental services.
  • Verified that coaches in program attained full certification and licensure.
  • Directed training, conditioning and performance of sports program and led and supervised coaches in efforts with assigned teams.

Aau Girls Basketball Coach

Lady's 1st AAU Program
03.2019 - 07.2021
  • Helped organize team logistics for tournaments, travel, and scheduling, ensuring compliance with AAU guidelines.
  • 15u coach
  • 16u coach

Girls' Basketball Coach

Hoop Guru
12.2019 - 06.2021
  • 14 U head coach
  • 16 U head coach

Assistant Girls Varsity Basketball Coach

Warrensville Heights High School
09.2019 - 06.2021
  • Helped coordinate team logistics including travel, scheduling, equipment, and facility setup.
  • Helped lead team to 2 Conference championships in 2020 and 2021.
  • In 2021 lead the team to become the division3 district runner ups.


  • Became interim head coach in January 2021 for the remainder of the season.


Strength and Conditioning Coach

Warrensville Heights High School
09.2019 - 06.2021
  • Provided individual skill development for players in areas such as shooting, ball handling, footwork, and defensive technique.
  • Mentored student-athletes academically and personally to support overall development and eligibility.

Assistant Varsity Softball Coach

Orange High School
02.2019 - 06.2019
  • Coached athletes in fundamentals such as hitting, fielding, base running, pitching, and defensive positioning.
  • Developed game plans, managed in-game decisions, and adjusted strategies based on performance and opponent analysis.
  • Emphasized teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship, while fostering a competitive and positive team environment.

Varsity Basketball Assistant Coach

Orange High School
07.2018 - 06.2019
  • Scouted opponents and developed targeted game plans, contributing to strategic in-game adjustments.
  • Supported the head coach in planning and conducting practices focused on skill development, team strategy, and game preparation tailored to high school female athletes.
  • Led off-season conditioning for jv and Varsity
  • Helped lead team to cvc Conference championship in 2019.
  • Mentored and developed 1 athlete who went on to play at the collegiate level. (NCAA Division 3: Bard University)

Skills Development Trainer

Orange High School
04.2018 - 06.2019
  • Created individualized development plans for players based on performance assessments.


  • Provided individual and small-group instruction in core areas such as shooting mechanics, defensive positioning, basketball IQ, and conditioning.

Assistant Program Director

N Zone Sports
09.2017 - 05.2019
  • Assisted program manager with developing budget and schedule.
  • Interacted with customers and clients to identify business needs and requirements.
  • Met financial objectives by preparing annual budgets, scheduling expenditures and analyzing variances.
  • Conducted performance reviews to provide feedback to staff for improvements.

Boys Basketball Coach

4th Quarter Basketball Program
12.2017 - 06.2018
  • Helped organize team logistics for tournaments, travel, and scheduling, ensuring compliance with AAU guidelines.

Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach

Lawrence Upper School
09.2017 - 06.2018
  • Led off-season conditioning and open gym sessions to prepare athletes year-round.
  • Communicate effectively with players, coaches, and parents.
  • Monitor academic progress and eligibility of student-athletes in collaboration with school staff.
  • Promote teamwork, discipline, and respect among players.
  • Scouted opponents and developed targeted game plans, contributing to strategic in-game adjustments.

JV Volleyball Assistant Coach

Lawrence Upper School
09.2017 - 06.2018

Assist the jv head coach with planning daily practices.

  • Provided technical instruction in volleyball fundamentals: serving, passing, setting, hitting, and blocking.

Head Varsity Volleyball Coach

Lawrence Upper School
09.2017 - 06.2018

Designed and implemented structured practice plans focusing in skill development, team strategy and conditioning.


Assist with equipment setup, inventory, and maintenance.


JV Head Volleyball Coach

Lawrence Upper School
06.2016 - 09.2017
  • Support the development of players’ technical skills, game strategy, and court awareness.
  • Communicate effectively with players, parents, and the coaching staff.
  • Help identify and nurture talent for potential varsity team advancement.
  • Assist with equipment management, scheduling, and maintaining team records.

Assistant Varsity Girls Basketball Coach

Lawrence Upper School
05.2016 - 09.2017
  • Attend coaching meetings, clinics, and professional development clinicals
  • Assisted head coach in developing and implementing practice plans, offensive/defensive strategies, and game preparation.

Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach

Lawrence Upper School
06.2016 - 06.2017
  • Assist in organizing and leading daily practices, drills, and conditioning sessions.


Education

No Degree -

Shawnee State University
Portsmouth, OH

Skills

  • Motivational leadership style
  • Game strategy development
  • Player evaluations
  • Player development
  • Practice planning

Timeline

Basketball Coach

Legends U (AAU)
12.2022 - Current

Assistant Track and Field Coach

Laurel School
03.2022 - 03.2023

Head Softball Coach (middle School)

Laurel School
09.2021 - Current

Head Volleyball Coach

Laurel School
09.2021 - Current

Head JV Girls Basketball Coach

Laurel School
09.2021 - Current

Assistant Girls Varsity Basketball Coach

Laurel School
07.2021 - Current

Girls' Basketball Coach

Hoop Guru
12.2019 - 06.2021

Assistant Girls Varsity Basketball Coach

Warrensville Heights High School
09.2019 - 06.2021

Strength and Conditioning Coach

Warrensville Heights High School
09.2019 - 06.2021

Aau Girls Basketball Coach

Lady's 1st AAU Program
03.2019 - 07.2021

Assistant Varsity Softball Coach

Orange High School
02.2019 - 06.2019

Director of Player Development

Swish365-solon
09.2018 - 02.2022

Varsity Basketball Assistant Coach

Orange High School
07.2018 - 06.2019

Skills Development Trainer

Orange High School
04.2018 - 06.2019

Boys Basketball Coach

4th Quarter Basketball Program
12.2017 - 06.2018

Assistant Program Director

N Zone Sports
09.2017 - 05.2019

Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach

Lawrence Upper School
09.2017 - 06.2018

JV Volleyball Assistant Coach

Lawrence Upper School
09.2017 - 06.2018

Head Varsity Volleyball Coach

Lawrence Upper School
09.2017 - 06.2018

JV Head Volleyball Coach

Lawrence Upper School
06.2016 - 09.2017

Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach

Lawrence Upper School
06.2016 - 06.2017

Assistant Varsity Girls Basketball Coach

Lawrence Upper School
05.2016 - 09.2017

Youth Skills Development Coach

Cleveland Cavaliers
12.2015 - Current

No Degree -

Shawnee State University