Stephany Smith, who led Middle Tennessee State to back-to-backNCAA tournament appearances, was named coach of the University ofAlabama’s women’s basketball team Monday. Smith, a Brookhavennative, coached 12 years at Middle Tennessee State, eight as headcoach.

Smith will replace the program’s winningest coach, Rick Moody,who retired after 16 seasons, the school announced Monday. TheCrimson Tide, once one of the Southeastern Conference’s topprograms, hasn’t been back to the NCAA tournament since 1999.

Alabama will formally introduce Smith as coach at a newsconference Wednesday.

Smith posted a 153-88 record in eight seasons with MiddleTennessee, leading the team to three NCAA tournaments and fivepostseason appearances. She led the Lady Raiders to 48 wins thepast two seasons, the most of any two-year stretch for theprogram.

Smith led the Lady Raiders to opening-round upsets over No. 12North Carolina and North Carolina State in the last two NCAATournaments.

Smith is the daughter of Betsy and Ralph “Catfish” Smith. She hathree brothers, Ralph, Richard and Cameron, and a sister,Sydney.

Smith played for Brookhaven High School, Copiah-LincolnCommunity College and Harding University in Searcy, Ark., where shespent one year as an assistant coach.

After accepting the job Sunday, Smith said it wasn’t an easydecision to leave Middle Tennessee State, where she also spent fouryears as an assistant coach.

”This whole thing has pulled at my heart because I love thisteam and I love Middle Tennessee,” Smith said. ”I’m very proud ofwhat we’ve accomplished here, and I feel very good about where thisprogram is headed.

”There are so many great things that have happened for me here,and it is a difficult time, but at the same time, I’m ready to takeanother challenge.”

Alabama officials announced the hiring after informing theplayers Monday.