Coach Richardson Gets The Assist From Coach Smith

Wishing Coach Smith “Nothing But Net” in his Retirement

Head Boys’ Basketball Coach Jeff Smith leaves behind a legacy of pride as he is calling a timeout from his 23 year career at Madison High School. The “All Time Winningest Coach” at Madison may be stepping off the court, but basketball will remain a passion that he will find new ways to pursue in the future. In his own words, “I love my school and love this game.”

"After 23 seasons as the head boys basketball coach at Middletown Madison High School it is hard to step away but I think the timing is right.  We have posted a 60-13 record and three straight league titles over the last three seasons.  

Madison is a special place and I step aside with so many fond memories.  

I think I will still do something in basketball in the future.  I have done shooting lessons for years and perhaps I will do even more of that."

Career Highlights Coach Smith is especially proud of include: 

• 23 seasons as Head Coach
• All Time Winningest Coach at Madison
• Posted 405 Career wins
• 5 League Championships
• 3 Time Associated Press SW District Coach of the Year
• 5 Time SWBL Coach of the Year
• 6 Time District 15 Coaches Association Coach of the Year
• Multiple Times Journal News, Enquirer and Dayton Daily News Coach of the Year

Madison High School is thrilled to welcome Shane Richardson as their new head coach for the Boys’ Basketball team! A true Mohawk at heart, Coach Richardson has come full circle since his days as a student athlete on the Madison High School basketball team under the tutelage of Coach Jeff Smith, graduating class of 2002. Stepping into the shoes of Coach Smith is not something Coach Richardson takes lightly. 

Being part of the Madison Local Schools community is a family affair for Coach Richardson. Along with his two siblings, he attended Madison schools from Kindergarten through High School. His parents have been active figures in the community through the years, serving on the school board and being heavily involved in youth sports. Coach Richardson’s wife is Danielle Richardson, who works in the high school guidance office. Together, they share 3 children, who also attend Madison Schools. 

Coach Richardson has coached boys basketball at every level now and began his coaching career at Madison as the seventh grade boys coach. He has since coached boys JV and proudly served as the assistant coach to Coach Smith the last three years. He has nothing but the highest respect and gratitude for all that he has learned from Coach Smith as a student, a colleague, and a friend. 

“My main mission as head coach is to develop student athletes, with studies being their first priority.  As a coach and former player, I firmly believe that athletic success cannot be achieved without academic success and I expect my athletes to apply the same attitude and effort to their lives, both on and off the court.” 

The Madison Mohawk Basketball team’s winning record speaks for itself, and Shane Richardson is ready to keep that success rolling. He intends to uphold the values he learned from the amazing basketball mind of Coach Smith and will continue to live by the wise words of his mentor: 

• "If it is to be, it's up to me"
• "If you fail to prepare, then you better prepare to fail!"
• "Attitude & Effort", the two things in life that we'll always have control of

Coach Richardson leaves this tribute to Coach Smith: “He found ways to ignite fires under guys who were hard to reach, me being one of them. I think he'd tell you his biggest accomplishment as a coach is not the number of wins he accumulated, coaching awards or banners he has worked to help hang. It's the relationships with the kids, being a leader of strong young men and producing successful adults, and being the pillar to this community that he has been for so long. He's "My Giant", a mentor, a coach, and most importantly, a friend.”