James "Scoogy” Smith, resident of Coatesville, graduated from Coatesville High School in 1964. He attended Maryland State College, now the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. He earned a B.S. Degree in health and physical education and recreation.

After graduation he became an educator and from 1975 to 1982 he coached 9th grade, jv and varsity basketball teams at Devon Preparatory School. In 1982 he returned to Coatesville as the head girls basketball coach. Coach Smith then assisted with the Coatesville High boys team from 1985 to 1993 and became interim head coach for the 1989-1990 season. His team won a Ches-Mont championship with a 18-8 record. Coach Smith also was an assistant to head coach Ross Kershey from 1993-1995 seasons. After he was named the head coach in 1995, he led his Coatesville teams to eight consecutive league championships, two district crowns in 2000 and 2001 and one eastern regional championship. Coach James (Scoogy) Smith’s Coatesville High team won the PIAA quad a state basketball championship in 2001. Coach has mentored and had many successful athletes during his tenure at Coatesville, coaching two All -Americans, Richard" Rip" Hamilton (Detroit Pistons) and John "Tootie" Allen, also Darrell Lewis, Mark Sweet who all played professionally over seas and Jake Royal who played and toured with the Washington Generals ( Harlem Globe Trotters). During his coaching career he was named the Daily Local News Coach of Year 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2003. His overall coaching record was 294-148.

He retired from coaching and teaching but pursued a masters degree from Neuman College in 2005. Jim Smith returned to coach the 2011- 2012 season and while recording his 300th win guided the Raiders to the state playoffs for the first time since 2003. He was named Coach of the Year by the Daily Local News in 2012.

Coach Smith is an active member of his local church and resides with his wife Louise in the Coatesville area.