Aces of Trades: Leadership in Newark Catholic coach Rob Smith’s blood in sports, business

NEWARK — He’s busy — living his dream. 

“I was a very active kid growing up and played sports all year around,” Rob Smith said. “Just like every other kid playing sports, I wanted to be a professional baseball player and be a head coach at some point in my life. I knew my chances were slim to play pro sports, but I was able to get into coaching at a young age.”  

Smith has been the head girls basketball coach at Newark Catholic since 2011 after coaching the men’s basketball team at Ohio State-Newark, his alma mater.

“I always wanted to be a coach since I was a kid,” he said. “I love sports and just wanted to be able to help kids and give back to the community in any way I could.” 

Smith now also is a business banker at The Community Bank in Heath.  He started there in September after retiring from State Farm. 

Smith, 54, grew up a self-described Army brat.  

“I was born in Newark, and we moved around until 1978,” he said. “That included stops in Missouri and Berlin, Germany, from 1976-1978. We moved to Hebron in 1978 and stayed until I graduated.”     

Smith graduated from Lakewood High School in 1986, then studied business management at Ohio State-Newark.  

“I worked at State Farm for over 25 years and was able to retire in 2022,” he said. “State Farm gave me the opportunity to get involved with the community and start a family in Newark.” 

While continuing an impressive decade of success as girls basketball coach at NC, Smith has been co-softball coach the past three seasons and was named athletic director for girls in 2022. 

“Rob Smith has been a wonderful asset to Newark Catholic,” Newark Catholic principal Tom Pickering said. “He’s willing to wear many hats and accepts any challenge with a smile. He’s done a wonderful job leading our Green Wave athletic programs. Coach Smith has left his mark, and I’m very thankful to have him as part of our team here at NCHS.” 

“The best feeling in the world is to watch high school sports and student-athletes succeed, and I get to see it from the sidelines/bench every day,” Smith said. “I wanted to have influence on kids to help them succeed, not only on the athletic field but also in life. Nothing makes me feel better than seeing someone who played for me become successful in life after high school. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in this world.” 

Smith has no plans to slow down anytime soon.

“I’ve been fortunate to meet a lot of people in the community through sports and with the bank,” he said. “At the end of the day it’s about relationships that makes the community strong, and that’s what I strive to do.” 

Aces of Trades is a weekly series focusing on people and their jobs — whether they’re unusual jobs, fun jobs or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at [email protected] or 740-328-8821.