Garfield Girls Basketball: Navigating a Leadership Crisis
Garfield High School principal Dr. Tarance Hart and athletic director Chris Englund address the Garfield girls basketball team and parents last Friday.
By Omari Salisbury & ProofNThePlay
The Garfield High School girls' basketball program is facing an uncertain future following the unexpected firing of head coach Roy Smiley. Smiley's removal last week, which comes just before the start of the season, has put the program at a major crossroads. Garfield’s boys' basketball coach and NBA legend, Brandon Roy, was also fired.
Garfield High School Principal Dr. Tarance Hart and Athletic Director Chris Englund discussed the decision as well as proposed next steps during a team meeting last Friday at Garfield. The meeting, which also included some parents, provided little specific reasoning for the coach's dismissal, instead focusing on outlining the team's immediate next steps.
A Storied Legacy: Garfield Girls Basketball
The Garfield High School Lady Bulldogs basketball team boasts a truly exceptional and impressive history, characterized by loyalty, fierceness, and unwavering commitment on and off the court, with numerous State Playoff appearances. The girls' team has secured state championships in 1980, 1987, 2005, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024. The 2024 victory marked their fourth consecutive state championship, following a year without a championship being crowned due to the 2021 pandemic.
Many talented players have emerged from the program, with numerous athletes going on to play at both collegiate and professional levels worldwide. A notable alumna is Joyce Walker (Class of 1980), renowned as the third woman to join the Harlem Globetrotters. Walker also led the Bulldogs to a state championship in 1980, scoring 40 points in that game, and later returned as the school's girls' basketball coach in 2013.
In recent years, Garfield has continued to produce highly recruited talent. Malia Samuels, a guard who went on to play at USC, was named the 2021-22 3A Washington State Player of the Year as a junior at Garfield, winning 3A State Championships in 2022 and 2023. She averaged 16.5 points, 6.3 assists, 6.1 steals, and 3.4 rebounds per game during her junior year and was named 2022 State Tournament MVP.
Another standout, Katie Fiso, a point guard who committed to the University of Oregon, was ranked No. 31 overall in the nation in the Class of 2023 by espnW and was considered the top-rated player in the state of Washington. Fiso led Garfield to three straight WIAA 3A state titles and was named tournament MVP in the last two seasons. She averaged 24.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.5 steals per game in her senior season. The program also prides itself on a 100% graduation rate for its players, with a high percentage attending college after graduation, demonstrating a deep commitment to both athletic and academic excellence.
Principal Hart's Stance: A Focus on the Future
During the meeting, Principal Dr. Tarance Hart attempted to address the team's concerns surrounding Coach Smiley's departure, emphasizing the school's dedication to both the girls' and boys' basketball programs. According to Hart, Garfield is committed to ensuring a productive year for both teams, aiming to bring in capable individuals to guide them towards championship success. Hart says this goal remains steadfast despite the recent challenges and that his administration's focus is on providing comprehensive support to the teams and securing effective coaching to ensure a triumphant season.
Regarding the decision-making process, it was clarified that multiple factors were under consideration, leading to the decision to initiate a fresh start for both teams. The narrative suggesting a single student complaint as the sole trigger for these changes was explicitly refuted.
According to Hart, Investigations typically commence within the school building, involving discussions with all interested parties and gathering various perspectives. Notes are compiled, and Human Resources is engaged when personnel-related decisions are involved. This general process is consistently followed for all investigations, particularly those concerning human resources, with further review conducted by external entities once the initial investigation is complete. According to Hart, the action taken was a result of guidance and recommendations from above the building level, involving district leadership in athletics and human resources, particularly concerning sports-related personnel matters. The scrutiny surrounding the Garfield basketball program is acknowledged to be intense, particularly in light of recent recruiting controversy at Roosevelt High School.
During the meeting, the impact on students was a primary concern, with the goal of having a coach in place by October 6, 30 days before open tryouts, as the top priority. Players will have the opportunity to sit on the interview panel, though concerns were raised about "homies and friends" influencing the process. Principal Hart stated he would not bow to outside influence for the new coach and that it has not yet been decided if the new coach will be an interim or head coach. The sentiment from Principal Hart and players present is that both remain focused on returning to the State Championships in Tacoma in March.
According to Hart, the criteria outlined for the new coach included coaching experience with girls, knowledge of the basketball community, and the ability to build a staff. Principal Hart emphasized that Roosevelt High School has brought considerable scrutiny across the Metro League, highlighting the need for someone who "plays by the rules,".
Restorative practices were also discussed, focusing on how the school could help the girls transition from this situation, with both parents and the Principal agreeing on the need for player support. Parents present expressed concern about a lack of communication, to which the Principal responded that communication would improve, as he had previously been unable to speak on the matter. Details about open gyms are expected to be announced today.
Parental Concerns and Student Impact
Chelsea Riddick-Most, a parent of a senior player on the Garfield High School girls basketball team, shared her perspective on the coach's dismissal. She initially heard about the news through her daughter, who picked up "murmurings at the school…that there were going to be some changes, and potentially that her coach was going to be dismissed." Riddick-Most then contacted Dr. Hart and the athletic director to understand the situation. She expressed her disappointment that if complaints arose last year, the decision to dismiss the coach a month before tryouts "impacts the coaches, but it really impacts the girls, all of the players."
Riddick-Most felt that the decision was not made at the school level, but rather "escalated beyond just being in the school." She highlighted the team's success last year, making it to state despite a key player breaking her ankle. This year is "so critical, because the girls are really looking forward to the season."
When asked about qualities important for a new coach, Riddick-Most emphasized "someone who really understands the history around Garfield basketball, and someone who is really committed and understands that that basketball at Garfield should be looked at just like any other academic classroom or elective in the school." She hopes the school finds someone who knows basketball really well and understands the opportunities beyond high school basketball.
Riddick-Most also expressed some disappointment that no district representative was present at the meeting, given the decision was made at the district level. She stressed the importance of the adults handling "the adult stuff" and focusing on supporting the girls, especially with the season starting in less than 30 days. Her daughter, Lena Most, the team's point guard, was shocked and saddened by the news, which left a "void for people to create their own narrative." Riddick-Most believed the meeting was a "good first step for the parents to get answers and for the students to feel like we, as adults, are supporting them,” supporting the idea of including players in the hiring process.
Coach Smiley's Perspective: Unanswered Questions and Deep Connections
Roy Smiley, a Garfield High School alumnus, expressed his confusion and hurt regarding his dismissal. Having been on the coaching staff for three years (two as an assitant) and led the girls' team to a state championship as head coach in 2024, he stated he was never presented with facts or interviewed as part of any investigation."I'm not sure what's transpired because I haven't been presented any facts. I haven't been interviewed or talked to about any investigations going on,” he said.
Smiley, whose daughter is a senior on the team, highlighted his deep personal connection to the program and the community. "We had a connection before they even knew who I was as a basketball coach... There's a connection with every single one on this roster. It's hard for me because…they're actually like family."
He also shared the emotional toll the situation has taken on him and his family. "I'm feeling terrible because my name is out there for some odd reason, and it's making it look like I've done something wrong or I'm a bad person,” he said.
Smiley confirmed he is appealing the decision, driven by his belief that he has not broken any rules. "I have done nothing wrong," he said.
Roy Smiley's Legacy at Garfield and Beyond
Roydell "Roy" Smiley has a deep and long-standing connection to Garfield High School basketball, both as a player and a coach. As a senior in 2000, he was a standout guard-wing for the Bulldogs, averaging 17.9 points and earning a reputation as one of the state's best one-on-one defenders. He was part of a talented team that aimed for an unprecedented 12th State Championship. After his time at Garfield, Smiley went on to play collegiate basketball at the University of Southern California (USC). His father, also named Roydell Smiley, was a Garfield alumnus from the Class of '76 and played on a state-championship team at Seattle Central Community College before playing at the University of Puget Sound. This familial legacy has continued with his own children, Legend and Star Smiley, who have also brought wins to the Bulldogs.
Smiley's coaching career at Garfield includes leading the girls' team to a state championship in 2024. His dismissal, alongside that of boys' basketball coach and former NBA All-Star Brandon Roy, has raised concerns within the community, with some suggesting a pattern of removing successful Black coaches.
Issues at Roosevelt High School
The mention of Roosevelt High School bringing scrutiny refers to the following issues that have garnered attention:
Football Recruiting Violations (2024): The Roosevelt High School football team faced penalties from the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) for illegal recruiting, student eligibility, and non-compliance with rules. An investigation found at least 12 students were recruited to play football and were given special privileges. This resulted in fines for the school and district, a one-year coaching suspension and fine for Head Coach Sam Adams, and fines for other coaches, the principal, and the athletic director. All 2023 and 2024 games with ineligible students could result in vacating trophies and placings, and the program received a one-year ban on postseason competition. As a result of this investigation, Seattle Public Schools Executive Director of Athletics Pat McCarthy was fined $2,500 and placed on two years' probation.
A Community United in Support
The Garfield community has rallied around the girls' basketball program, and it needs their support. Some community members have also signed a petition demanding the reinstatement of Coach Smiley. The upcoming season will undoubtedly be watched closely as the school navigates these transitions and strives to uphold its championship legacy.
