Linn Retires after 35 Seasons with Lady Red
After 35 seasons leading the Smith Center Lady Red volleyball and basketball programs, Nick Linn has officially announced his retirement from coaching and teaching with USD 237.
Linn came to Smith Center in 1989 after coaching three seasons of girls basketball and volleyball at St. Xavier High School in Junction City.
Over the 35-year stretch, Linn's Lady Red volleyball and basketball teams combined for 1,537 wins compared to just 572 losses. That converts to a winning percentage just under 73% during his time in Smith Center.
The Lady Red saw more sustained success at the state level in volleyball, qualifying for the State tournament in 18 of 35 seasons, including 10 of the past 11. Linn's overall record in volleyball was 1,043-349. Smith Center also brought home eight State trophies in that time. The pinnacle was a 2A state title in 2021 in which the Lady Red went 43-2 and picked up a straight set win over Hillsboro for the title. From 2020-2022, the Lady Red made it to the state championship three straight times, finishing 2nd to Heritage Christian in 2020 and 2nd to Hillsboro in a rematch in 2022. This past season, the Lady Red went 39-6 and finished in 3rd Place in 2A. They also brought home third place trophies in 1999, 2003, 2011 and 2018.
On the basketball court, Linn's teams compiled a record of 494-223. They made it to the state tournament six times, bringing home five trophies. A run from 1999-2002 saw the Lady Red in the 3A state title game three times, but they finished as a runner-up in each 1999, 2000 and 2002. Smith Center broke through on the hardwood with a 2A state title in 2013 in a 63-55 win over Jefferson County North.
The list of accomplishments in Linn's 35-year career is impossible to compile here. The Lady Red had multiple athletes that went on to play at the collegiate level. Two basketball players went on to the NCAA Division I level as Dayna Finch played at Creighton from 2000-2004 and after a couple of seasons at Hutchinson Community College, Sydney Benoit played two seasons at Kansas. There are countless other female athletes that have played in NCAA Division II, NJCAA and the NAIA.
KD Country 94 and Z 96.3 "The Lake" Sports Director Dusty Deines talked with Linn about his decision. You can hear that interview below.