Smith, 49, was the State Player of the Year at Kailua in 1972 and is the father of former Kalaheo and University of Hawai'i standout Alika Smith. He stepped down as Kalaheo’s coach in March after guiding the Mustangs to 11 of the past 13 O'ahu Interscholastic Association championships (14 overall) and state titles in 1985, 1995 and 2001.

Kalaheo principal Jim Schlosser said this morning that Smith underwent a seven-hour cancer operation on Oct. 31, immediately after which he suffered cardiac arrest.

"I don’t know exactly what caused it, but it wasn’t because of a bad heart," Schlosser said. "He was revived, but after that he has not been awake."

Schlosser said Smith’s family is awaiting "results of significant tests," and added the family won’t know his exact condition until those results come back.

All 18 of Smith’s team at Kalaheo (1984-87, ’90-03) qualified for the 12-team state tournament. He also was Chaminade University’s head coach for two seasons (1988-89 and 1989-90) and was an assistant to Silverswords coach Merv Lopes when they upset No. 1-ranked Virginia in 1982.