Former Alcorn State star Larry Smith has returned to his alma mater as its head coach.

Smith, 50, had been a WNBA assistant with the Los Angeles Sparks. He was also an assistant with the Houston Rockets when they won NBA titles in 1994 and 1995.

Smith replaces Samuel West, who was 44-103 in five seasons at the helm.

Alcorn State was 7-24 last season.

Smith averaged 20.1 points and led D-1 in rebounding at 15.1 in 1980. He also spent 13 seasons in the NBA with Golden State, Houston and San Antonio.