Prairie View A&M men’s basketball coach Byron Smith has apologized for postgame remarks that appeared to question the university’s medical care for its athletes, calling his comments “inappropriate” and made in frustration.
In an interview following the Panthers Saturday game versus Texas Southern, Smith said Prairie View had to “do a better job with these kids.”
Smith’s remarks were made in reaction to concern for Prairie View guard Tai’Reon Joseph, who was once among the nation’s top scorers. Joseph’s offensive production has dipped this season, and Smith linked that decline to a lingering injury he believes has not been fully examined or treated to the extent necessary.
“Terryon doesn’t just go from being one of the top scorers in the country to not scoring in double figures,” Smith said. “The kid has been hurt for a while now, and I don’t think we’ve done him a great service by not digging deeper into his injury.”
While Smith did not reveal specifics about medical shortcomings his players were facing, he made clear that, in his view, Prairie View and many HBCUs need to invest more in sports medicine, rehabilitation and preventive care.
Prairie View A&M University men’s basketball coach, Byron Smith’s full comments regarding Tai’Reon Joseph’s health, the sports medicine department and not needing public support.
He emphasized that the fanbase needs to support the university and the team first and foremost. https://t.co/slNLPYrUhT pic.twitter.com/Qb2xTXCJ0B
— Dorian Waller (@dorianwaller02) February 1, 2026
On Monday, Smith, in a statement posted on the school’s Facebook page, said the comments were “inappropriate” and were only made in frustration.
“They do not reflect my respect for Prairie View A&M University, our athletics program, or the care our student athletes receive,” he said.
Even as he apologized, Smith’s earlier remarks underscored his reputation for blunt honesty and his insistence on advocating for players. Over the weekend, he said supporters must back the university and team while never losing sight of the athletes themselves, adding that he would “always stand up” for his players and “always tell the truth and stand on business.”
“These young men put their bodies on the line every night,” Smith said. “It’s not just tape and ice. It’s about compassion, diligence and doing the right thing even when it’s inconvenient.”
“You have to support the program, but more importantly, you have to support these kids,” he said. “If I leave this job tomorrow and get another one, that’s fine — but I’m always going to stand up for my players.”
