Former Auburn basketball coach and current men’s basketball color commentator Sonny Smith will be inducted and immortalized in the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
The legendary coach was recognized at the Auburn versus Ole Miss game Tuesday night for his accomplishment. He received a standing ovation from the Auburn faithful.
Smith began his career at East Tennessee State, where in two seasons led the team to an overall 30-23 record.
Auburn hired Smith in the summer of 1978 and the team finished ninth in the SEC for three consecutive seasons. Future hall of famer Charles Barkley was coached under Smith from 1981-84.
In the 1983-84 season, Smith led Auburn to its first NCAA Tournament appearance.
The following season, Auburn went 8-10 in conference play and Smith had announced his intentions to retire following the SEC Tournament.
The Tigers then won four straight in the tournament to win their first ever SEC Tournament and clinch a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year.
That year, Auburn made it to the Sweet 16 as an 11-seed before losing to 2-seed North Carolina.
Following the season, Smith decided to return to Auburn and would lead the team to its first Elite Eight appearance in 1986.
The five straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament under Smith from 1984-88 is the longest streak in program history.
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