Leonard Smoot

Leonard Smoot, Jr. is in his seventh season as the golf coach at Miles, with a resume of achievements that shows the championship level of play that the Golden Bears have achieved since he began building the program.

Since Miles began the golf program during the 2013-14 academic year, Smoot has led its ascension to the top of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. In 2015-16, Miles won its first league championship and participated in the 2016 NCAA Division II South Region Tournament. He has also led the Golden Bears to second place finishes three times (2015, 2017, 2018) and a third place finish in 2019.

Smoot has been named SIAC Golf Coach of the Year four times (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019) and the Golden Bears have produced numerous All-Conference, All-Tournament and All-Academic golfers during Smoot's tenure. Among some of the individual accolades have included two Freshmen of the Year (Tyler Simmons, 2018, and Kyle Kerns, 2016).

A native of Flint, Mich., Smoot attended Flint Beecher High School and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Huntingdon College. He is currently a member of the PGA Minority Collegiate Championship Advisory Council, is the chair of the SIAC Golf Coaches committee, a member ot Division II Golf Coaches Connection committee, and vice president of the Black College Golf Coaches Association. In 2019, he was elected to the African American Golfers Hall of Fame. 

A retired Chief Warrant Officer with over 24 years in United States Marine Corps became the third black golfer to ever make the Marine Golf Team and to compete in the All Inter-Service Golf Championships. He has been involved in golf for over 25 years and has competed at all levels of golf around the world winning a number of awards. He continues to provide golf instruction to all level of golfers who are looking to make an impact in their chosen professions.

Smoot is married (Melissa Howard Smoot) and two daughters, Candace and Kelsey.