Watch the Press Conference Here

Recently-hired USF men's basketball coach Kyle Smith was introduced to the media and the campus community this afternoon in a press conference held inside War Memorial at The Sobrato Center on the USF campus.
 
Smith was joined on the dais by University President Paul Fitzgerald, S.J. and Director of Athletics Scott Sidwell, who introduced Smith as the 19th men's basketball coach in school history.
 
Among those on hand to greet Smith were three-time USF All-American and Director of University Initiatives Bill Cartwright, former USF head coach Jim Brovelli, Vice President for Finance and Business Affairs Charlie Cross, Faculty Athletic Representative Jeremy Howell, along with a large turnout of USF alumni, student-athletes, coaches, administrative staff and current basketball team members.
 
The press conference was streamed live on TheW.tv.
 
Here are some excerpts from today's press conference…
 
University President Paul Fitzgerald, S.J.
 
On the hiring of Kyle Smith
I couldn't be happier with the outcome of this great search. Coach Smith has played here many times in this gym, hoping for a victory for San Diego or Saint Mary's. Now, this becomes your home court and we wish you many successes and many victories.
 
Why Coach Smith is the right fit for USF
Coach Smith comes home to the Hilltop with personal values, integrity and commitment that fit perfectly with the University of San Francisco. I couldn't be happier that you not only bring great expertise, knowledge and passion for the game, but also the kind of leadership where you see yourself as an educator. The success of your student-athletes in every aspect of their lives will bring us the most joy and for which we will be the most proud.
 
Director of Athletics Scott Sidwell
 
On the hiring process
It was a very thorough process where we were able to find our fit. This is about us and USF and nobody else. It's about who we are and where we're headed. We wanted to find a proven head coach who could work with us as a partner and someone who could rebuild this storied program to national prominence. We wanted to find someone who knew the profile of the type of young men you see here sitting today – that could not only be great basketball players, but be great students and go on to be great leaders in the world. That is who we are and who we aspire to be.
 
We wanted someone who could navigate the best city in the world, San Francisco – and use that to our advantage. We found someone that knows San Francisco and understands who we are.
 
Finally, we wanted to find someone who knows the WCC in and out – what works, what doesn't work and what's been successful to win the league.
 
Impressions of Kyle Smith throughout the search
He is a great person, a great coach and he defines all the qualities that are great about being at USF. We found Coach Smith and he fits perfectly in each of the buckets that I defined in our search. He had a successful seventeen-year run in the WCC as an assistant, has NCAA Tournament experience, has tremendous backgrounds with graduation rates and has been a builder of people and a leader of young men. That is of upmost importance to us. He knows how to recruit young men who are successful on the court, in the classroom and in the community. We are very grateful for that.
 
Head Coach Kyle Smith
 
The interview process
Scott Sidwell, Charlie Cross, Bill Cartwright and Jim Brovelli all came out to talk with me. I knew right then that they were serious. What they represent is a lot of what I believe in. It takes having a great attitude, work ethic and pride. These guys are proud of the program. What it says on your chest stays with you for life.
 
Being named the head men's basketball coach
I couldn't be more ecstatic to be in the most beautiful city in the world, a school that is the signature of the city and a part of a legendary basketball program. It's a dream come true. This is home for me. To be associated with the school that produced the greatest competitor and the greatest winner in basketball (Bill Russell) – what an honor.
 
If we're going to make it here we are going to have to connect the older generations, younger generations and put it all together. If we're going to be what we want to be, it is about being part of something that is bigger than yourself. I'm honored to be here and looking forward to working hard.
 
Meeting his new team
I had a chance to work with my newest family yesterday - our team. We will be family, no doubt about it. I look forward to working with you guys. They worked hard yesterday, have good attitudes and I am ready to roll.
 
What it takes to close gap in WCC
Good players can always help with that. It takes time because it is a process. What it really gets down to is having a great attitude, work ethic and pride. It is important to understand that we can compete with anybody. Those top programs aren't going to fall off -- you have to go get them. It's about getting good players and coaching them right.
 
Benefits of moving back to West Coast
It's a chance to be reunited. Nobody is getting any younger and this is a chance to have my kids closer to their grandparents. My wife has a lot of great friends and family here that she'll be closer to. As my boys grow up, that is a wonderful experience to have. That made it pretty easy.