COMMERCE – Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer coach Ashley Gordon has appointed Matt Smith to her coaching staff as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.
 
Smith is the first addition to the coaching staff by Gordon, who enters her first season as the leader of the Lion soccer program. Smith arrives to Commerce from Waco, where he served as an assistant coach at Baylor for the past five seasons.
 
He began his 16-year college coaching career at Presbyterian College and aided in the college's transition from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I. A task he will be immediately responsible for at A&M-Commerce, as the Lions make the jump to the Southland Conference this fall.
 
"Matt brings a wealth of coaching experience and will be a huge asset to the Lion soccer program," said Gordon. "His knowledge of the game and commitment to player development is impressive. He aligns with our values and vision, his demeanor and connection to the student-athletes will be invaluable."
 
The Lady Bears amassed a record of 56-30-15 with Smith on the staff and won the Big XII Championship in 2017 and 2018. Baylor also advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament in 2017 and 2018. Baylor was awarded the Regional Coaching Staff of the Year in 2018 by United Soccer Coaches.
 
"I am super excited to be a part of the A&M-Commerce family during these amazing times," said Smith. "I am really looking forward to working with Ashley and doing our part to bring success to the Lion soccer program."
 
At Baylor, Smith oversaw planning and executing training sessions for goalkeepers as well as field players. He was also instrumental in domestic and international recruiting, film breakdown, creating scouting reports, and assisted with the day-to-day operations of the program.
 
Gordon added, "Matt's familiarity with the talent in Texas and the region will allow us to hit the ground sprinting as we challenge for championships in the Southland Conference.  I am fired up with this addition to the Lion family."  
 
Prior to his time at Baylor, Smith served as the head women's soccer coach at Limestone College, a Division II school in Gaffney, South Carolina, for six years. Smith is the program's all-time winningest coach with 80 career wins.
 
Smith was named the Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year in 2016 and won the 2016 regular season Conference Carolinas championship as well as the Conference Carolinas Tournament Championship in 2015 and 2016, advancing to the NCAA Tournament in both seasons.
 
Under his leadership, the Saints received four NSCAA Team Academic Awards, four players were named Conference Carolinas Players of the Year, two were named Conference Carolinas Defenders of the Year. Nine Saints were selected to All-Region teams, three were minted NSCAA All-Americans, and one was named NSCAA Academic All-American.
 
Smith holds a United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Diploma and USC Goalkeeper Diploma. He received his Bachelor's of Arts in History from the University of South Carolina.
 
A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Smith is married to Heather Smith, and the Smiths have a dog, Putney.