After serving as the program’s assistant coach the past five seasons, Mike Smith is being promoted to head coach of the women’s soccer team at Meridian Community College.

    Smith will be only the second women’s head soccer coach in school history. The women’s program was started in 2002 by Alex George, who will remain at Meridian Community College as the head men’s soccer coach.

    Smith brings an impressive coaching resume to MCC and is looking forward to the challenge of continuing the great soccer tradition.

     “This has always been a dream of mine,” said Smith. “I would just like to thank Dr. Elliott and the Board of Trustees for giving me this opportunity. I would also like to thank my good friend coach George because he is the main reason this happened. He opened the door for me to be his assistant for the last five years and has helped open this door for me now. I will have some big shoes to fill and God has blessed me so much this past year, if not for him none of this would be possible.”

    Smith is a 2000 graduate of West Lauderdale High School, where he played for George. Smith helped lead the Knights to the 2000 state championship and continued his soccer career at MCC. Smith was a member of the 2000 MCC men’s soccer team that captured the NJCAA Division I national championship.

    Following his career at MCC, Smith went on to play at Delta State from 2005-2007. Smith was selected as team captain, led the team in scoring, and was selected a member of the All-Gulf South Conference Team.

    Smith has more than 10 years of coaching experience in coaching all ages, including high school and college. Smith was a part of the Chicago Fire Juniors of Mississippi coaching staff stationed in Jackson from 2009-2011. Smith went on to lead the Mississippi Fire East U11 team to a MSA State Championship in 2009-2010.

    Smith is currently in his third season as the head girls soccer coach at Meridian High School where he led the Wildcats to a first-round playoff berth last season, the first since 2003. Smith is also currently coaching a U12 Division I team for Premier Futbol Club.

    In the five seasons that Smith was an assistant coach for MCC, he has helped the Eagles to an unprecedented three consecutive postseason championships (2007 MACJC, 2008 & 2009 NJCAA Region 23). The Eagles also finished as Region 23 runner-up in 2010-11.