Why Tanner Smith’s Introduction Speech Is a Must Read for Pensacola Sports Fans

Sometimes, as a writer, you’re fortunate enough to step into a story that doesn’t need your interpretation because the voice at the center of it is already so clear, genuine, and compelling.

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Today was one of those moments. Listening to the newly appointed UWF Men’s Basketball Head Coach, Tanner Smith, it became obvious that anything I added would only get in the way. His words carry the weight, the vision, and the heart of what’s ahead. And if first impressions matter, Pensacola has just been given an extraordinary gift in him.

His speech at the press conference today is below.  Enjoy.

“Let me begin by sharing how much I appreciate the kindness and hospitality that have been shown to my family and me over the past couple of weeks. It has meant a great deal to all of us. President Diaz and Athletic Director Dave Scott, you have given me an incredible opportunity, and I am grateful.

To the coaches here in the room, I want you to know how excited I am to support you and to be part of your journey. My door is always open, and I am here to help in any way I can. Just know, when you come asking for help, I may ask a few things in return. I’ve got two kids at home who keep me on my toes, and they will be around this campus often. I may need your help with them, but truly, I am here for you.

I also want to take a moment to thank the coaches who have shaped my path. I began as a graduate assistant under Rick Ray, then worked in operations for Mark Price and Ben Hallen. I earned my first assistant coaching opportunity at Kennesaw State under the late Amir Abdur-Rahim, who was incredibly special to me. He gave me a chance, and his impact continues to guide me. We miss him dearly, but the way he led, built culture, and pushed his players toward excellence is something I carry with me and will strive to instill in this program.

I’m also grateful to Kyle Keller, who took a chance on my wife and me and brought us to East Texas, a place we had never been but came to call home. Winning a championship there was something we will always cherish.

To Dustin Kearns, thank you for allowing us to return closer to home and for trusting me as an associate head coach. Our time together was incredibly special! We won 27 games, defeated Auburn at home, set attendance records, went 15-0 at home, and experienced the most successful stretch in program history. I’m extremely thankful for that chapter.

To my fellow staff members and colleagues, there are too many to name, and I know I’d miss someone if I tried to name all of you, I am deeply grateful to each of you. I’ve learned something from every person I’ve worked alongside, both as a student of the game and as a student of people.

To the former UWF players: you are the bedrock of this program. You will always be welcome here. As we build for the future, we will honor the past. We want this to be a place you can always call home. My staff and I will be reaching out, and we hope you will come back, share your experiences, and pour into our current players.

To our current players, first, congratulations on an incredible season. Winning championships is never easy, and what you accomplished is exceptional. As we move forward and build our culture and identity, understand this: you will always be told the truth. That is a promise.

I have two boys, and I often pray for the men who will influence their lives one day. I hope they are surrounded by people who are honest with them, who tell them the truth and that’s exactly what you’ll get from me.

You will also get my very best every single day. When I walk through those doors, you are my priority; your health, your well-being, and who you are as people come first. As we build this program together, you have the opportunity to be the first to win a championship in this new era. That’s something truly special, and I’m excited to get to work with you.

To the high school and AAU coaches across this region and state, our doors are always open. We’ll be in your gyms, and we hope you’ll be in ours. Recruiting will always be about relationships, and we look forward to building strong ones with you.

To the student body and the Pensacola community, we want to make the Field House one of the toughest environments in the country. This is a beautiful place, and people love visiting, but we want opponents to dread coming here and playing here.

Our staff and players will be out in the community, connecting with you. The brand of basketball we’re building will be fun, fast-paced, aggressive, and blue-collar, and it will be something you’ll enjoy rallying behind. Your support will directly impact our success, and we are excited about that partnership.

To our alumni, donors, and anyone who wants to be part of this program, you are always welcome. This will be a University of West Florida brand, and it will take all of us. When we climb the ladder and cut down the nets, it won’t just belong to the players and coaches, it will belong to the entire community.

People often ask what our program will look like, how we’ll play. Our style will reflect this area. It will be team-first. We won’t spotlight one individual; we will showcase the collective. It will be fast, aggressive, and relentless. You’ll never leave the Field House wondering if we played hard enough. If anything, you might be asking if we need a day off.

Most importantly, it will be a brand of basketball that our players love playing, and our community loves supporting.

I want to close by thanking my family.

My father passed away eight years ago, and I wish he were here today. I’m incredibly grateful for everything he taught me. The way I live my life and the person I strive to be reflect him.

To my mother, who had to step out for a moment with Steel, I know she’ll see this later. She sacrificed so much for our family, especially during my father’s illness. Her selflessness and strength shaped who I am, and I’m forever grateful.

To my in-laws, John and Darlene, thank you for raising an incredible woman. I’m so thankful for the life I get to come home to every day.

To my boys, Stone and Steel, you’ll be seeing a lot of them. They’ll be around the program, and we’re excited for them to grow up in this community and around all of you.

And finally, to my wife, Julia, Thank You. Coaching is not an easy life for a spouse. There’s constant change, moving, and rebuilding, but you do it with grace and a smile. Your selflessness, your support, and the way you impact our players and program mean everything to me. I love you, and I’m so grateful for you.

Three years ago, I was here for the Sun Belt Tournament and remember walking out of the gym thinking, “This is a pretty special place.” At the time, I thought it would be incredible to coach here one day.

Now that I’m here, I can tell you, it is special.

Thank you all for your support. I’m excited to lead this program, to hang banners, to cut down nets, and to build a brand of basketball at West Florida that is recognized not just regionally, but nationally.

Thank you for welcoming me, UWF Coach Tanner Smith