David S.

Debbie (CoachUp client)

Coach David was great. Really liked his positive attitude.

Andrea (CoachUp client)

Coach David Smith has done an exceptional job coaching. His patience, passion and love for the game are reflected in his style of teaching. His knowledge and technique in coaching is one of the best we have experienced. He is great in a one on one setting and with a group. I highly recommend Coach Smith!

Jim Gowgiel (Testimonial)

I have had the pleasure of knowing David Smith for the past year. I would definitely recommend David for a Head Coaching position at a school that needs an expert and energetic coach to develop and mature the basketball program. David’s strengths all are based in his deep knowledge of and passion for the game of basketball. I have experienced David’s coaching both as a parent of one of his club-team players and as an informal “assistant” on- and off-court. He has a unique ability to motivate his players to believe in themselves, even in the toughest games and regardless of the outcome. He always seemed to be able to make practices fun while the boys were working hard on drills, plays, etc. David also understands the importance of academic performance. He reinforced how important it was for the boys to focus on their grades. There were several times throughout the season that some players needed to sit out until grades improved. This was an expectation for participation. In my case, my son improved his time management skills to balance the demands of his schoolwork and basketball schedule. Finally, David knows how to develop his players. While he was developing and maturing the basketball program, he was equally developing and maturing the players. I watched my son, and his team mates, mature as the club team’s season progressed. I trust this letter has provided additional insight into David Smith’s caliber as a coach, mentor, and leader. He would be a great addition to the school that needs his unique blend of expertise, energy and passion for basketball.

Coach David Neal (Testimonial)

I have known David Smith since June of 2010 at which time my son was enrolled in his summer basketball program. I informed David I would be coming to most of the practices and would be willing to help him if he would like. I let him know I had coached the Catlin Gabel middle school combination basketball team the previous year and would do as instructed. He said he appreciated the offer and would let me know if he needed help. He had about 15 kids and handled them all very well. Some of those kids ended up on the championship basketball team for Catlin Gabel this last winter. When he started arranging scrimmages with a put together team of his acquaintance he asked me to coach that team. His team made vast improvements and ended up being able to beat my team that had superior players because of, not only the practice, but what he was getting out of each player. At the end of the summer his players had made vast improvements in their ability but more importantly was the dedication to David as a coach and his ability to get the players to play as a team. My son joined the summer basketball camp not because he was enamored with basketball but because he wanted a way to maintain his conditioning. He had just finished 7th grade at Catlin Gabel where he had set several middle school running records and thought that he could maintain his conditioning and improve his speed and jumping ability along with his regular training by playing summer basketball. A funny thing happened on his way to the 8th grade he met and was coached by David Smith. He fell in love with the sport, actually it was not the sport, even though he has made great improvement, it was David and his coaching style. This was his first real coach and not only did he respond with respect and desire not to let David down all the players did. This is David’s real secret. Yes he knows basketball inside and out but it his ability to connect with his players that gives him the winning teams and records. I helped throughout the fall and was asked to coach the B team at Catlin this year. David and I worked closely together and David asked me to help with the championship 8th grade boys, also. What was interesting is the support David is able to generate in the parents and school along with the dedication of players past. He had players not at all associated with Catlin that would come to practices and games to help or just support David’s current team. The girls from his previous year coaching at Catlin Gabel became an integral part of the team. They made posters and handled the music that was played at games and became the “pep-squad” out of respect and love for David. His team was less talented, smaller than and not as gifted at handling the ball as many of the teams they played but because of the players desire to play to David’s expectations they had only 1 loss and avenged that in the Metro Christian League Championship game against King’s Way. Had David had the King’s Way players he would have gone undefeated and would have destroyed Catlin Gabel’s team? He was able to take a team with a reputation as smart but not good at basketball and in one year turn this team into champions, no small task. My thought is that if you are considering David Smith as coach and he is available take advantage of the opportunity. No one can know whether or not one person can take a program and make it a championship program in one year but if anyone can do that David Smith can. I believe David does more for his players that make them good basketball player’s, he prepares them for life and helps them grow. Even though a “coach” is not considered a teacher they really are and often times they must achieve more with less time and dedication than actual teachers get and demand. David has shown me that he has this ability and I would recommend him without hesitation.

Dawn Menken, Ph.D (Testimonial)

I am honored to write a letter of reference for David Smith and take the opportunity to extol his virtues. My son has been playing in his Just Ice basketball club for the past year. After my son’s first week of practices with Coach Dave, he said, “I found my basketball home.” I think his spontaneous response says it all. Coach Dave has a unique ability to quickly assess the talents and areas of development for each child. He then creates a personalized training that supports each child to attain their personal best, and offers just the right amount of challenge. He runs a tight ship with a well-disciplined team, strong on fundamentals and teamwork. He stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the best of coaches in his knowledge of the game of basketball. He coaches every single possession and his teams are knowledgeable with more plays and strategies than I have seen in his competition. In fact, last Spring David took a very mediocre 6th grade team and brought them to a second place standing. Each child on that team improved their game substantially and could execute the variety of plays that Coach Dave demanded. In addition to David’s extraordinary knowledge of the game of basketball, he is a fervent advocate for strong academics. He frequently will invite an older student to speak to the other players about the need to excel in school and in life. He encourages leadership on and off the court and takes his task as a role model very seriously. I wish David all the success in his new endeavors and I am certain you will be more than satisfied should you hire this top-notch coach. This is a man with a big heart and formidable skill, and we are extremely sad to lose him here in Portland. I am one of many parents, along with our players, who feel that his shoes are going to be hard to fill. If I can be of any further help please don’t hesitate to contact me.