University of South Dakota Athletics

Landon Smith was announced as the director of operations in June of 2026. Smith brings operations experience from his previous stops, as he held similar duties at Charlotte during the 2025-26 season and at Utah in 2024-25. 

Smith joined the Runnin' Utes after graduating from Utah State in the spring of 2024. He joined his father, Craig, on Utah's staff after a summer leading the program's basketball camp logistics. It came after working as a pivotal member of the Formula Zero staff, where he served as the organization's camp liaison with NBA scouts. 

Formula Zero is an elite skills camp for high school, college, and NBA players created by nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard and Phil Beckner. He worked with scouts, regional and national media members, coaches, and athletes in the summers of 2023 and 2024 before joining Utah's staff.

Smith graduated from Utah State with a degree in math education and a minor in physical education/coaching in the Spring of 2024. Smith earned his master's degree in sports management from Utah State. He is the eldest son of former South Dakota men's basketball head coach Craig Smith (2014-18).