Drake promotes Smith to men's head coach
- by Soccer America , Nov 4, 2015
Gareth Smith, who took over as interim men's coach at Drake on the day of the Bulldogs' season opener, has been named as the head coach of the men’s program.
“Gareth Smith has done an excellent job as interim head coach, leading the team through a season of adversity to extraordinary success,” said Drake director of athletics Hatfield Clubb. “He teaches and models how to Live the Bulldog Way. It is with great joy and enthusiasm that I welcome him to the position of head men’s soccer coach.”
The Bulldogs have a 9-4-2 record with one regular-season match remaining against Bradley on Saturday. Smith served as an assistant coach for six seasons at Drake prior to this season.
Sean Holmes, the head coach of Drake's men's program for 17 years, was replaced two hours before the Bulldogs were scheduled to kick off the 2015 season against Pacific. The news came in the form of a press release that Smith would become interim head coach. No further comment was available from Drake athletic communications on the matter. Drake went out and beat Pacific, 2-1.
“It is an honor to be provided with the opportunity to serve the program in this capacity,” said Smith. “We are excited about the progress we have made this fall and will use this success to build the program going forward. For now, the focus continues on preparing for our game this weekend against Bradley and the conference championship next week.”
A win over the Braves and a loss by SIUE to Loyola, Ill., would give the Bulldogs their first-ever Missouri Valley regular-season championship. The MVC Tournament will be held Nov. 11-15 in Edwardsville, Ill.
