2025-26 marks Sean Smiley’s fifth full season as head coach of the Fredonia State University men’s basketball program. Under Smiley’s leadership, the Blue Devils have emerged as one of the most dynamic and efficient offenses in the SUNYAC (State University of New York Athletic Conference), creating a high-powered, fast-paced style of play that has progressively elevated the program.
In the 2024-25 season, Fredonia dominated the offensive side of the game, leading the SUNYAC in overall field goal percentage, three-point field goal percentage and assists per game, while finishing second in points per game. Smiley’s offensive system maximized the talents of his players, with seven Blue Devils ranking among the top 8 in the SUNYAC in 11 individual offensive categories. Notable standout performances came from All-Conference senior Brandon Kulakowski, who led the conference in scoring and ranked second in rebounding, and senior Aiden Proudfoot, who finished second in three-point field goal percentage. Smiley's ability to foster individual development while maintaining a team-oriented approach has been a key to Fredonia’s growth.
As head coach, Smiley has expanded the reach and reputation of the Fredonia State men’s basketball program through strategic and inclusive recruiting efforts. He has successfully attracted student-athletes from across the United States—including Florida, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C.—as well as internationally from England, Germany, Israel and Switzerland, bringing a diverse mix of talent and experience to the team. In addition to building a competitive roster, Smiley has prioritized academic excellence. The 2024-2025 academic year saw the Blue Devils achieve the highest team GPA in over 25 years of the program.
Off the court, Smiley has made a significant impact by revitalizing support for the Fredonia State men’s basketball program. He has actively re-engaged alumni, donors, and members of the campus and local communities, strengthening ties and boosting enthusiasm for Blue Devils basketball. Under his leadership, the program raised over $20,000 to renovate and modernize the men's basketball locker room, and it set new records for contributions during Fredonia State’s annual Day of Giving. Coach Smiley also founded an annual Martin Luther King Jr. High School Basketball Showcase, bringing together top regional boys' teams and attracting sponsorship support. In addition, he has fostered strong community connections.
Before taking the reins at Fredonia, Smiley had an impressive tenure as an assistant coach at Hobart College in Geneva, N.Y. During his three years at Hobart, Smiley helped lead the Statesmen to a Liberty League regular-season championship and a No. 19 national ranking in his first year (2017-18), the highest in program history. Hobart’s coaching staff was named Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year, following a 21-5 record and a program-record 15-game winning streak. In 2019-20, Smiley helped guide the Statesmen to their first-ever NCAA Sweet 16 appearance, a run that was tragically cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. His work at Hobart contributed to the development of two All-East Region players, two first-team All-Liberty League selections, the 2018 Liberty League Freshman of the Year, and Hobart’s all-time leader in three-point shooting.
Smiley’s coaching journey also includes two seasons on staff at his alma mater, the University at Buffalo (UB). While on the UB staff, the Bulls posted a 20-11 record during the 2011-12 season and ranked among the best in NCAA Division I in four statistical categories, including fourth in rebounding and ninth in assists. Smiley contributed to the development of several standout players at UB, including multiple All-MAC (Mid-American Conference) selections and players who went on to play professionally.
As a player at the University at Buffalo, Smiley was a key contributor to the Bulls’ success. He scored 631 points, made 132 three-pointers (which was fourth on the school’s all-time list at the time of his graduation), and served as team captain during the 2007-08 season. Smiley was part of the Bulls’ 21-12 squad in 2007-08, which won the MAC regular-season championship, and during his senior year, he averaged a career-high 8.7 points per game while making 52 three-pointers. His leadership and shooting ability made a significant impact on the program, and he also earned a spot on the 2010 MAC All-Academic Team.
Smiley’s basketball journey began at McDowell High School in Erie, Pa., where he was inducted into the McDowell High School Hall of Fame in 2015. The school’s all-time leading scorer and leader in three-point field goals upon graduation, Smiley helped his team to two Class AAAA District 10 championships, three Erie Metro League championships and three straight 20-win seasons.
In addition to his college bench experience, Smiley has coached at the high school and AAU levels. He served as assistant varsity boys basketball coach at Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers, Fla., from 2014-16, and spent a season as head coach with the Team Carolina AAU program in Raleigh, N.C.
Smiley earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University at Buffalo and a master’s degree in sports management from SUNY Cortland. He resides in Fredonia with his wife, Brooklynn, and their son, Amari.
