Erik Smiles completed his sixth season as the head men's basketball coach of LIU Post in 2018-19. 

Smiles was named the 10th head men’s basketball coach in the 56-year history of the Pioneers’ program on April 17, 2013 by LIU Post Director of Athletics Bryan Collins.

During his tenure, the Pioneers have made four appearances in the East Coast Conference Tournament, while he has helped mentor five All-Metropolitan selections and 10 All-East Coast Conference players. 
 

Smiles 10 years on the staff at Farmingdale State College, serving as an assistant coach from 2002-04, before taking over as head coach in 2004. During nine seasons at the helm, Smiles amassed a career record of 182-72. He led the Rams to four Skyline Regular-Season titles and three Skyline Tournament Championships while posting six 20-plus win seasons. The Rams also made the NCAA tournament  four times under Smiles’ tutelage, advancing all the way to the Elite Eight in 2009.

A highly decorated coach, Smiles has received a total of eight Coach of the Year awards. He is a three-time Skyline Coach of the Year, two-time BCANY Co-Coach of the Year, one-time All-Met Coach of the Year, one time NABC Coach of the Year, and one-time D3Hoops.com Atlantic Region Coach of the Year. His team has also received the Skyline Conference Sportsmanship Award twice. Smiles coached 12 all-conference players, three Skyline players of the year, and two DIII All-Americans while at Farmingdale.

Smiles is familiar with the East Coast Conference landscape, having played collegiate basketball at the University of Bridgeport for four years. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in human services in 2001.