James Smith enters his first season as an assistant coach for the men’s soccer program. Smith joined the coaching staff in February of 2017 after serving as a graduate assistant at East Tennessee State University during the 2016 season.
During his time at ETSU, Smith helped guide the Buccaneers to a Southern Conference regular season title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Smith also served as a youth coach with the boys’ and girls’ programs for FC Dallas Tri.
A four-year starter for Lander head coach Lee Squires at Lees-McRae from 2011-14, Smith started 60 matches and tallied 53 career points with 17 goals and 19 assists. He earned All-Conference, All-Region, and First Team Academic All-American honors at Lees-McRae. Smith played his final season at East Tennessee State, starting all 19 matches finishing with 19 points on seven goals and five assists. He was named the SoCon Player of the Month in September of 2015.
Smith spent three seasons in the Premier Developmental League, playing for the Carolina Dynamo from 2013-14 and GPS Portland Phoenix in 2015.
He has earned a bachelor’s in sports science from Lees-McRae and a master’s from ETSU.