James Michael Smith, who began his Union County coaching career as an assistant for the Marvin Ridge girls basketball team, died unexpectedly on Friday, Sept. 18. He was 56.
Smith, known to colleagues as "Smitty," was serving as head girls basketball coach at Piedmont High School in Unionville at the time of his death, The Enquirer Journal first reported on Tuesday, Sept. 22. He is survived by his wife, Paula Jo, and four children.
Smith's connection to the Waxhaw area dates to the 2020-21 season, when he joined Marvin Ridge as an assistant under first-year head coach Steve Lenahan. The two helped the Mavericks post a 7-6 overall record and a 7-5 conference mark during a season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to MaxPreps.
"You could tell by how much time he invested in the program that he was passionate about women's basketball," Lenahan told The Enquirer Journal. "I appreciated his competitive drive. We have that in common."
Smith moved to Piedmont High School in 2021, where he taught social studies and took over as head coach of both the indoor and outdoor track and field teams. He also coached cross country. He later became the Panthers' girls basketball head coach, leading the team to a 10-15 record in 2024-25 and an 11-15 mark in 2025-26.
Makenna Tyson, a 2024 Piedmont graduate who ran cross country under Smith for two years, told The Enquirer Journal he shared stories from his own playing days and made her feel she had a purpose on the team.
Jailyn Thomas, a 2025 Piedmont graduate, played one season of girls basketball under Smith. She said he put a smile on her face and on the faces of thousands of students he taught and coached.
Smith's daughter Landry is a Piedmont senior volleyball player. His son Nolan, a 2026 Piedmont graduate, played basketball there. His other children are Carson, a 2025 Piedmont graduate, and Jensen.
Funeral arrangements had not been finalized as of Tuesday, Sept. 22, according to The Enquirer Journal.
