M. C. “Tip” Smith has a career in coaching and directing high school or college athletics in East Tennessee that spans forty years. He began his career at Charleston High School after graduating from Carson-Newman College in 1931. In 1939 he moved to Bradley Central High School, where his teams won state championships in basketball during 1940 and 1942. During World War II, Smith served on the staff of the military physical training program at the University of Tennessee. He resumed coaching basketball in 1946 at Tennessee Military Institute and returned to Bradley Central High in 1949. During the subsequent seven years, he took teams to the state tournament four successive seasons. Moving on to the collegiate ranks, Smith became basketball coach at Tennessee Wesleyan College in 1955 and served as athletic director until retiring in 1973. At that time, he was awarded an honorary doctor of education by the college. Smith finished off his illustrious career as Acting Dean of Tennessee Wesleyan College in 1974. During his distinguished coaching career, Smith won eight district and seven regional tournaments and participated in eight state tournaments, winning twice. Quite an impressive record from a very impressive individual, “Tip” Smith.
