Story by Matt Smith
Clemson will not renew the contract of men’s basketball assistant Steve Smith in the wake of a video tape introduced as evidence in the FBI’s corruption trial in New York. According to reports, Smith was caught on tape discussing the recruitment of Zion Williamson and making reference to Clemson football recruiting practices.
Smith was heard on the video saying, “That’s why football is so successful, is if you do it and use resources at Clemson, like you can really keep everything tight.”
Smith’s contract expired on April 30 and until the release of the tape, it was expected his deal would be extended at last week’s board meeting. Smith has been an assistant under Brownell at Clemson since the 2012-13 season.
Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney responded, “I’m just disappointed because I know how we run our program, we’ve always been a program committed to doing things the right way.”
Athletic Director Dan Radakovich said, “It was an unfortunate choice of words.”
Smith had worked previously at Georgia Southern and USC Upstate. Smith also served in the U.S. Army (1994-2000) after an All-Region basketball career at Wade Hampton High School.
Steve, will either have been found telling the truth,or the FBI will find out the truth about the football program. I have a freind who says their has to be something that brings players to PICKENS county S.C. other than coaches.