Gareth Smith was named head coach of the Drake men’s soccer program in 2015 after six seasons as an assistant coach. Smith led Drake to the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament title in his first campaign. The tournament title clinched the Bulldogs third trip to the NCAA Tournament, where they won at Kentucky, 2-1, to open the tournament. The road win over the Kentucky was the third NCAA tournament win in school history and first since 2009.
Smith was the top assistant for four seasons for former head coach Sean Holmes after serving his first two campaigns as a volunteer assistant. He was named interim head coach prior to the 2015 season and assumed the head position on Nov. 3, 2015 prior to the team's regular season finale.
A native of Scotland, he played for Motherwell F.C. as youth Academy and reserve team player. From the age 15 through 18 he was selected for the Glasgow Regional Select Team for three consecutive years.
Smith has a master’s degree in physical education, health and recreation from Emporia State (Kan.) as well as a bachelor’s degree from the University of Abertay in Dundee, Scotland, in sports coaching, development, and administration.
He holds a USSF ‘A’ license, UEFA license, USSF National Goalkeeping license, U.S. and Scottish F.A. National Youth license, and is a certified fitness and conditioning coach.
Smith has coaching experience at Club, College, State/Regional ODP, and Youth National team levels. He currently serves as an Iowa State Soccer Association coach educator, State and Region II ODP coach and has recently been involved with the U.S. U-14 National Team Program. He has presented at a national level on the topic of youth development, coaching and leadership.
