Baylor head women’s basketball coach Nicki Collen announced in September 2025 that Juliana Smith joined the program’s staff in a full-time capacity as women’s basketball general manager.
Smith joined Baylor Athletics in July 2023, initially serving as executive senior associate AD for mission impact and enrichment and sport program administrator for women’s basketball before later adding, in a limited capacity, the responsibilities of women’s basketball general manager to her role.
As part of the women’s basketball staff, Smith collaborates with athletics general manager David Kaye and the athletics front office to oversee roster construction and management, player acquisition and retention and budget and cap management, including rules compliance. She also serves as the program’s external NIL liaison.
“As we have done in football and men’s basketball, elevating this position to full-time reflects the evolving landscape of college athletics and the need to continue to professionalize our operations in support of our student-athletes and staff,” said Athletic Director Mack Rhoades. “It also positions Coach Collen and her program for long-term success, with the structures in place to sustain excellence.”
“Juliana has been a trusted and invaluable member of our team over the past year, with an exceptional understanding of my student-athletes and staff, Baylor’s mission and our program,” Collen said. “Her attention to detail, thoughtful approach and steadfast commitment to our success make her the perfect fit for this role. I’m beyond excited to now have her contributing full-time in this capacity.”
Prior to Baylor, Smith spent five years at Colgate, most recently as Deputy Athletics Director, Senior Woman Administrator, and the Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Designee, where she provided strategic leadership and functional oversight of the Division of Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics. She also served as the sport administrator for football, women’s basketball, and women's lacrosse. Previously Smith held the title of Senior Associate Athletics Director and Chief of Staff (2018-2019). She has additional experience at the University of Oklahoma as Assistant Athletics Director for Human Resources and Administrative Engagement (2017-2018), Director of Athletics Human Resources (2015-2017), and Director of Operations for Track & Field and Cross Country, Tennis, and Golf at Texas Tech University (2014-2015).
Smith was an All-America indoor track and field student-athlete at Mississippi. She was the 2009 SEC indoor champion in the weight throw and placed fifth in that event at the 2011 NCAA Indoors to claim her All-America certificate.
Smith was the 2010 Ole Miss nominee for NCAA Woman of the Year.
A native of Loganville, Georgia, Smith graduated summa cum laude from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice. She added a Master of Science in criminal justice from Ole Miss, and then a Master of Education in adult and higher education from Oklahoma.
