Sam King

sking@jconline.com

OXFORD — Ryne Smith had hoped to get into the college basketball ranks again someday.

The former Purdue guard didn't think it would come this soon, though.

Smith finalized his paperwork Friday morning to become the director of basketball operations at Miami (Ohio) University.

"It's a tremendous opportunity to be back at the Division I level," Smith said Friday afternoon. "This was a huge goal of mine."

Smith resigned as head coach at Benton Central on Monday.

He will follow recently hired head coach Jack Owens, who spent nine years at Purdue, including the last six as associate head coach, before his first head coaching gig.

The Toledo, Ohio, native played at Purdue from 2008-12 and served as a student assistant coach with the Boilermakers for the 2012-13 season.

"His (Owens') first year was when I was a freshman, so I've known him almost 10 years," Smith said.

After Purdue, Smith was named head varsity boys basketball coach at Clinton Prairie, coaching the Gophers to a 22-22 record in two seasons before taking over at Anderson. Smith coached one season at Anderson, resigning at season's end, and was hired as a social studies teacher and head varsity basketball coach at Benton Central in August. Smith has a career 31-59 record in four seasons.

Benton Central athletic director Jim Puckett said the school is accepting applications through April.

Smith was appreciative of the opportunity to coach the Bison, but said he couldn't pass up an opportunity to move to the college level.

"The people at BC were incredible and (principal) Cory Robb and Jim Puckett were extremely understanding," Smith said.

Benton Central was 6-17 last season ,but returns its top three leading scorers. BC's top two players last season were sophomores.

"I think there's excitement around the program," Smith said. "The kids helped the program make great strides. It's a bittersweet feeling. Whoever is fortunate to take over is in a good spot."

Contact Journal & Courier reporter Sam King at sking@jconline.com. Follow him on Twitter @samueltking