Bradley Soccer Names Ryan Smith Assistant Coach

Press Release (PDF)

Bobby Parker, Associate AD for Communications Soccer 3/9/2018 10:00:00 AM

PEORIA, IL – Former Louisville star Ryan Smith, who boasts seven years of competitive soccer coaching experience, has joined the Bradley Soccer staff as an assistant coach, according to an announcement by Braves head coach Jim DeRose Friday.

Smith fills the position vacated by Joe Burger, who joined the Minnesota United FC Development Academy as youth programs technical director during the 2017 season.

"We are very excited to welcome Ryan to our staff and the Bradley community," said DeRose. "Ryan's background as a player and young coach to date is very impressive. A consistent theme with the people we spoke with about Ryan was his driving work ethic, attention to detail and his ability to relate to players.

"Working simultaneously as a club director and with a highly-successful collegiate program such as Bellarmine requires great dedication," DeRose added. "Ryan has successfully demonstrated the ability to manage all facets of coaching, including player selection and recruiting, on-field coaching and training, as well as an extensive background in the administrative demands of club and college soccer. This skill set uniquely qualifies him to be a great addition to our staff and I'm very confident that our student-athletes will really enjoy having him work with them on a daily basis.

"As a player and coach, Ryan has been mentored by some of the top coaches in the country in Ken Lolla, Mario Sanchez and Tim Chastonay who all have had great success and longevity in college soccer," DeRose continued. "Ryan has an ultimate goal of being a collegiate head coach and was very honest in his desire to want to be a person that can mentor young people. He sees tremendous value in collegiate soccer and how it can provide great opportunity for young people. We have no doubt, like many previous Bradley assistant coaches, Ryan will go on to lead his own program in the future with great success. ."

Smith comes 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 definitely will 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.

Print Friendly Version