Former Louisville star Ryan Smith, who now boasts seven years of competitive soccer coaching experience, joined the Bradley Soccer staff as an assistant coach for the 2018 season.
In his first season with the Braves, Smith helped Bradley begin the 2018 campaign by extending its overall unbeaten streak to 12 games (8-0-4), the second-longest run in program history, and finish the season unbeaten (7-0-4) in non-conference play for just the second time in program history.
Smith came to Bradley from NCAA Division II Bellarmine University, where he worked as an assistant coach the previous three seasons. He simultaneously served as assistant director of coaching for the Kentucky Fire Juniors Soccer Club. In his role with Kentucky Fire, Smith directly oversaw 46 boys and girls select teams, while developing and implementing a training curriculum consistent with US Youth Soccer guidelines.
“Ryan did a fantastic job in his time at Bellarmine University,” said Knights head coach Tim Chastonay. “His experience of being part of a championship program at the University of Louisville was extremely valuable to our staff and players in establishing our culture of excellence. Ryan does a great job of building positive relationships with the players and has a great understanding of the game. The Bradley Soccer Program will definitely benefit from his knowledge and experience.”
Smith also has served as a boys soccer staff coach for the Kentucky Olympic Development Program from 2015-17, as well as club registrar and head coach for the Derby City Rovers Youth Academy from 2014-15. He got his coaching start as a boys assistant coach for the Mockingbird Valley Soccer Club from 2010-12, followed by one year as an assistant coach at Kentucky Country Day High School in 2013 and boys head coach for United 1996 Futbol Club from 2013-14.
Smith was a starting defender at Louisville from 2009-12, helping the Cardinals to three consecutive NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship Elite Eight appearances from 2010-12. That run included a second-round victory versus Bradley in 2011, a year after he provided the game-winning assist in Louisville’s 2010 College Cup semifinal victory.
“Ryan Smith has worked hard at developing as a coach and has become one of the bright young coaches in college soccer,” said Louisville head coach Ken Lolla. “We are happy for Ryan that he is joining a great staff, which will further enhance his growth.”
“Ryan Smith is one of the top young coaches in the country,” added SIU Edwardsville head coach Mario Sanchez. “With his playing experience at the University of Louisville and coaching experience at Bellarmine University, Bradley Soccer has made a great hire. Most importantly, Ryan is a man of character and he will fit in well with the culture that Coach DeRose has established at Bradley.”
A Region 2 ODP player in 2009, Smith was offered a contract with FK Velez in Bosnia & Herzegovina in 2011. He was captain of the River City Rovers PDL squad in 2011 and 2012 and following his graduation from Louisville in 2012, he participated in the MLS Seattle Sounders Combine.
Smith and his wife, Tannis, are the proud parents of two young children, Sutton and Addie.