Ryan Smith, a former four-year letterman at the University of Louisville who played in an NCAA Tournament championship game, joined the Bellarmine University men’s soccer staff as an assistant prior to the 2015 season.
In 2017, Smith helped the Knights tie a program record with nine Great Lakes Valley Conference wins. Bellarmine's 11 overall victories were one shy of the program record. The Knights earned a berth in the GLVC Tournament, along the way defeating second-ranked and Final Four-bound Rockhurst 2-1. Eddie Williamson was named GLVC co-Freshman of the Year.
Smith is a Louisville native who is a junior boys’ coaching director of the Kentucky Fire Juniors, a local club team. In addition to club teams, he has been involved in coaching at the youth level in middle school, high school and with the Kentucky Olympic Development Program.
Smith lettered as a midfielder all four years of his tenure at Louisville, where he helped guide the Cardinals to three consecutive NCAA Elite Eight appearances, including the 2010 national title game.
Smith helped lead St. Xavier High School to consecutive Kentucky state championships in 2007 and 2008 as the team went 47-1-2 in that span. As a senior, Smith was named All-State after registering 18 goals and 11 assists.
Smith played club soccer with United 1996 FC. After college, he participated in the Seattle Sounders (MLS) combine and went on trial with Orlando City SC (MLS).
Smith received his bachelor’s degree from U of L in health and human performance. He lives in Louisville with his wife, Tannis Smith.
