SC Generals Coaches

2011 - 2012

Steve Smiley
Head Coach & Athletics Director

Steve just completed his 3rd season as head coach at national junior college powerhouse Sheridan College. In the past 3 seasons, the Generals overall record is 77-23, winning three consecutive North Sub-Region 9 titles, one Wyoming Conference Title, advancing three times to the Region 9 Final 4 and appearing in two championships game. The Generals also were the host team for the Region 9 Tournament for the 2009-10 season, and Steve was named North Sub-Region 9 Coach of the Year the past two seasons. Over the past three seasons, 7 Generals have signed to play at NCAA Division 1 schools (at schools such as Penn State, Boise State, TCU, San Francisco, Eastern Michigan, etc), and a total of 15 players have moved on to the four-year level to continue their careers. Two of his players were named NJCAA All-Americans (Moustapha Diarra — Honorable Mention, and JR Cadot — 3rd-Team All-American), and six have been named to the prestigious All-Region 9 Team (Moustapha Diarra, Scottie Payne, JR Cadot, Antoine Proctor, Omar McDade, and Jarrell Crayton).

Prior to Sheridan, Steve spent two seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Northern State University (Aberdeen, SD) under the winningest coach in NCAA History, Don Meyer. During his time, the Wolves went 50-12. Prior to his return at NSU, Steve was the head assistant coach at Black Hills State University. During his first year, the Yellow Jackets finished in 2nd place in the Dakota Athletic Conference and lost in the conference championship by one point. Steve finished his senior season at Northern State University (Aberdeen, SD) in the spring of 2004. Steve was a starter since his sophomore season. During his career, Steve led the Northern Sun league in assists for three consecutive seasons. Steve finished second all-time at NSU in career assists with 537, and was only the second player in school history to surpass the 500-assist mark. Steve was the starting point guard for NSU teams that won the conference title during his sophomore and junior seasons. As a senior, Steve won the NSIC Defensive Player of the Year award, and the Wolves posted a final record of 24-7, won the conference tournament for the first time, and played in the NCAA D2 national tournament. Steve was named to the All-Tournament Team, and was also named as the NSIC Tournament MVP. Prior to NSU, Steve played at Pomona High School in Arvada, CO, becoming the first ever four-year starter at PHS while leading the state of Colorado in assists during his junior year, being named All-State during his junior and senior season, and tying or breaking 10 school records, including career assists.

Dan Magrino
Head Assistant Coach

Dan Magrino enters his 1st season as the Head Assistant Coach with Sheridan Junior College. This previous season, as well as the 2008-09 season, was spent on the sidelines at NCAA Division 2 Georgia College (Milledgeville, GA). During his time with the Bobcats, Magrino served as strength coach, assisted in multiple facets of the program, and primarily dealt with the development of post play. In his two seasons, he helped lead the team to a 38-17 record in the Division II powerhouse Peach Belt Conference, as well as a 2009 NCAA Southeast Region Tournament Berth. Prior to Georgia College, Magrino spent one season at his alma mater, Northern State University (Aberdeen, SD) as the head assistant for Don Meyer during his final season on the sidelines.

The last time that Smiley and Magrino joined forces was during the 2007-08 season at Northern State University. Assisted by Smiley, Magrino and the Wolves went on to a 29-4 record, with a #5 National Ranking, and a trip to the North Central Region Championship Game. The Wolves had a record of 98-28 during Magrino's playing career, winning two NSIC Conference Tournaments, appearing in four NCAA D2 Tournaments, and advancing twice to the North Central Regional Championship. Prior to NSU, Magrino played at Pembroke Pines Charter High School in Pembroke Pines, FL. Magrino holds the school's all-time record for blocked shots, averaging 8.9 a game as a senior.

Coach Smiley's words: "We're thrilled to have Dan become a member of our program. Dan is a close friend of mine, and was somebody that I both played with and coached while we were both at NSU. Dan is one of the best young post coaches in the business, and is a tireless worker and recruiter and will help continue to move us in the right direction. As Don Meyer's Head Assistant a couple years ago, Dan learned so much in terms of coaching the right way, and his experiences in Georgia at a great program (Georgia College) will also help out tremendously. Dan is a winner, and is ready to move us in the right direction."

Aaron Mines
Assistant Coach

Aaron is entering his second year as the Assistant Coach at Sheridan College. In his first year on the Generals staff, Aaron helped lead the Generals to a North Sub-Region 9 Title, a birth in the Region 9 Tournament Championship Game, and an overall record of 24-10. Five players from that team were named to either the All-Region or All-Conference Team, and four players moved on to the next level, including players moving on to Penn State and Boise State.

Before Sheridan, Aaron coached four years at Big Horn High School as an assistant men's basketball coach. In 2010, Aaron helped guide the Rams to a 2A Region runner up, and the Rams first state appearance in 4 years. Aaron has already received his Associates Degree from Sheridan College in 2006, and is now working on his Bachelor's Degree in Middle School Education through Chadron State College and plans to graduate in May of 2012. "I am very excited about the upcoming basketball season, as I continue to be a student of the game. Coach Smiley and Coach Magrino are two of the best in the business, and I couldn't have asked for a better opportunity to continue growing as a basketball coach then working with these two coaches as well as with some of the best players in the country." Coach Smiley had this to say about Aaron: "We're really excited to get a local coach of Aaron's caliber. I've known Aaron for awhile and absolutely love his passion for the game. Aaron is a high-energy guy that constantly does whatever is needed to get the job done. He was a huge factor in our successful season last year and will be during this season, and he's going to be a great coach in the future. We couldn't be happier to have him on our staff."