A little more than two months after getting hired, Southern Illinois University head women's basketball coach Missy Tiber completed her coaching staff Wednesday with the additions of assistant Michelle Smith and graduate assistant Nicole Woods.

Tiber had previously brought former Tusculum College assistant Adrianne Harlow with her from Tennessee while retaining one of former SIU coach Dana Eikenberg's assistants in Tanya Bauer.

"Now we can really get focused," Tiber said. "I've had a chance to sit down (with the staff) and discuss our goals on moving the program forward."

Smith is filling the void left by the departure of former assistant Rasheeda Love. Love joined Tennessee State in June and will assist in recruiting and perimeter development with the Tigers.

Smith's duties involve post development, recruiting and overseeing the welfare of the student-athletes, which is something that had been a tricky subject the last two years.

"I believe I'm someone the kids can relate to and can talk about personal or basketball problems to," Smith said. "I hope to build strong relationships that I can bring onto the court."

Smith comes to SIU from Savannah (Ga.) College of Art and Design. She was also a top recruiter at the junior college level, leading the Chipola Junior College Indians to the NJCAA Final Four in 2006 as an associate head coach. As a player, the 6-foot-2 Smith finished in the top 20 all-time in scoring at the University of Alabama-Birmingham.

"One thing I like about Michelle is that she has connections to junior colleges," Tiber said. "She's willing to work really hard and was a great college basketball player.

"She's a natural fit for us. It took longer than we wanted it to, but I think we got the right person for the program."

Smith has already headed up some team-bonding activities and will look to improve the team's chemistry before the November opener.

"I try to bring some of my experience," Smith said. "I played at the Division I level and overseas and it's a challenge I think I'm prepared for."

Woods played under Tiber at Belmont Abbey College, earning Division II All-Region and All-American honors, and will take former graduate assistant Drew Thomas' spot.

"She's a former point guard and knows what I expect of my kids," Tiber said. "She can talk to anybody and is going to head up our camps."

Up next for the staff is the July recruiting period where commitments for the 2010-11 class will hopefully be secured.

"Hopefully next year we can bring some kids out that can plug some holes and win championships," Smith said.

pete.spitler@thesouthern.com

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