Otis Smart, Lucy Craft Laney High School’s longtime coach who racked up those numbers, died July 11, 2026.
Smart topped 1,000 victories in January 2026. This season, the Lady Wildcats made it to the Sweet Sixteen, but the team had won multiple state titles over the years including back-to-back state championships in 2017 and 2018.
A graduate of Claflin University, Smart was part of his alma mater’s second class of Hall of Fame inductees in 2011.
“Coach Otis Smart’s legacy extends far beyond the basketball court. He dedicated his life to developing young people of character, purpose, and excellence, leaving an enduring impact on generations of students, families, and the Laney community. While we mourn his passing, we also celebrate a life that inspired so many. His legacy will forever be a part of Richmond County School System,” said Dr. Malinda Cobb, Superintendent of the Richmond County School System, in a prepared statement.
A news release from the Richmond County School System also said “Coach Smart didn’t just represent Laney High School; he completely embodied it. His larger-than-life persona, unwavering dedication, and deep love for his student-athletes made him the very heartbeat of the Wildcats. Today, we don’t just mourn the loss of a coach; we say goodbye to ‘Mr. Laney’ himself.
To Coach Smart: thank you for showing us all what it truly means to be a champion in life. You will never be forgotten.”
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