In Episode 54 of Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee, presented by the Swinford Media Group and sponsored by Adrenaline Fundraising, Marion Plumbing, and Swinford Wedding Videography, host Kerry Martin sits down with one of Southern Illinois’ most successful basketball coaches—Randy Smithpeters. From his early years learning the game in McLeansboro’s golden era of hoops, to volunteering under Hall of Fame mentors, to becoming the longtime head coach at Harrisburg High School, Smithpeters built a career defined by fundamentals, discipline, and winning basketball. Over three decades, he guided the Bulldogs to more than 500 victories, 12 regional titles, six super-sectional appearances, seven Sweet Sixteens, three Elite Eights, and the program’s crowning achievement—a 2013 state championship. His teams became synonymous with postseason success, dominating at the Eldorado Holiday Tournament and setting records at the Carmi White County Invitational.
In this episode, Smithpeters reflects on his coaching journey, the challenges and triumphs of building Harrisburg into a powerhouse, and the mentors who shaped his philosophy. He also opens up about family—how his wife Patricia held things together at home during his long coaching career, and how his sons Tyler and Kyle have carried the Smithpeters legacy into the college ranks at John A. Logan College and the University of Missouri. Don’t miss this conversation with a coach whose impact goes far beyond the win-loss column, shaping athletes, programs, and communities across Southern Illinois.
