LMU Volleyball Coach Mike Smith Steps Down

HARROGATE, Tenn. -- Lincoln Memorial University volleyball coach Mike Smith has announced his retirement from coaching after 17 seasons on the LMU sidelines. Smith, who is also the school's NCAA Compliance Officer and Assistant Director or Athletics, will continue on in those capacities.

The announcement was made earlier today by Smith and school officials.

Smith, a native of Manchester, Kentucky, is a 1992 graduate of LMU. A former baseball player for the Railsplitters, he first became affiliated with the volleyball program in 1992 when he became the team's graduate assistant coach. Two years later he was named the fifth head coach in the program's history.

Since then Smith has compiled a 352-215 record, had thirteen seasons with 20+ victories and have made three appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Ten of his players have been named all-conference, academic all-conference or freshman of the year. One player was named American Volleyball Coaches Association National Player of the Week, three were named Daktronics All-Region and two were named AVCA All-Region. During his tenure several other players were named to conference and NCAA All-Tournament teams as well. His 1999 and 2008 squads also received a team award from the AVCA for their academic achievement.

Coach Smith is currently ranked in the top 30 in the NCAA Division II in victories and third amongst SAC coaches in total career wins with 352.

"I am excited to start in a full-time role as Compliance Officer and Assistant Athletic Director. It will be a pleasure to work with Director of Athletics Roger Vannoy in this capacity," said Smith. "The tough part is leaving behind a program that I have helped develop over the last seventeen years. The players have meant so much to the success of the program both on and off the court. I look forward to watching them continue the journey."

Vannoy echoed Smith's comments and praised his success, "As Coach Mike Smith retires from his coaching duties to devote full time to the position of Compliance Officer, I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of Lincoln Memorial University to thank him for building LMU Volleyball to the place where the program has become a perennial conference contender and has made three straight NCAA Regional Tournament appearances."

The search for a new volleyball coach will begin immediately.