During a basketball career that has spanned nearly three decades, Larry Smith got to see a lot of outposts. From St. Aloysius’ small high school gym on Grove Street, to glittering NBA palaces like Staples Center and a couple of Developmental League stops in between, one always called out to him.

And, as he was introduced as the new head coach at his alma mater Alcorn State on Thursday, the man nicknamed “Mr. Mean” couldn’t hide how happy he was to be home.

“I am very happy to be able to come home,” Smith said. “… I’ve had a chance to play and coach in many different states and countries, but there’s no place like home. Now my wife and kids and friends can get off my case. Hopefully, I’ll be here a long, long time.”

Smith agreed this week to a four-year contract with a base salary of $125,000 per year, Alcorn athletic director Darren Hamilton said. While the hire was announced Thursday, the contract must still be approved by the state college board. Hamilton said he expects it to be approved at the next board meeting later this month.

More than 50 coaches, including former St. John’s coach Mike Jarvis, Lanier’s Thomas Billups and Provine’s Luther Riley applied for the job. A search committee narrowed the field to five, and Hamilton said of the finalists Smith had the largest number of attributes he was looking for in a coach.

“At the end of the day I needed somebody who had name recognition in the state, can get fans in the stands, can assist in fundraising, get the best student athletes and relate to the alumni base. He does all of that,” Hamilton said. “Somebody was knocking at the door, ringing the bell. All I did was let him in.”

Smith had to endure six interviews with Hamilton before getting the call. Several of their chats stressed the challenge of rebuilding an Alcorn program that has fallen on hard times recently.

The Braves went 44-103 in five seasons under Sam West, and have struggled whenever Davey Whitney left the bench. Whitney won more than 500 games and seven Southwestern Athletic Conference championships during a hall of fame career, but during his two retirements — a span of 11 seasons in the early 1990s and 2003-08 — Alcorn went 94-216.

While Smith wants to embrace the tradition Whitney built, he also stressed that the Braves have to put the recent past behind them to be successful again.

“It has been down in past years. But the kids have a new face and a new voice, and we have to get the fires back in them,” Smith said. “We can’t dwell on the past … We have to get new ideas to the kids and go from there.”

Smith was a popular choice among the 20 or so Alcorn boosters who attended Thursday’s press conference at the Quality Inn on Clay Street. He received several rounds of applause, a rousing chant of “Larry! Larry!” after he finished his prepared remarks, and endorsement from all of those in attendance. Several boosters said they understood it will take a few years to rebuild the program, and were willing to give Smith the time he needs to turn the Braves back into SWAC title contenders.

“Larry Smith doesn’t need too much patience or time. You’re going to see some positive things starting next year. In three or four years we’re going to be where we need to be,” said Vicksburg resident Jim Stirgus, an Alcorn alum.

The 1979 and ’80 SWAC Player of the Year, Smith enjoyed a 13-year NBA playing career with Golden State, Houston and San Antonio. He was one of the league’s best rebounders in the 1980s, finishing in the top 10 five times, and ranks sixth all-time on the league’s offensive rebounding list.

After his playing days were over, Smith embarked on a 15-year coaching odyssey. He was an assistant with Houston — including the Rockets’ two championship seasons in 1994 and ’95 — Atlanta and the Los Angeles Lakers. He left the Lakers in 2005 to coach in the NBA Developmental League and spent two seasons there.

The Rolling Fork native returned to Mississippi in 2007 and took a job as St. Aloysius’ boys coach, but barely lasted a month before he returned to the pro ranks as an assistant with the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA.

Through all of the travels, Alcorn was always his dream job. He applied when Whitney retired in 2003, then again when West’s contract was not renewed in April.

“I was speechless because I finally got a call,” Smith said, a wide smile on his face. “I felt if I did get the call, I was going home. There were a lot of sleepless nights the last couple weeks.”