Coaching Experience
• Head Coach, Cornell University (2019 - present)
• Head Coach, University of the Pacific (2013-19)
• Assistant Coach, University of California (2012-13)
• Associate Head Coach, Dartmouth College (2002-12)
Education
• B.S., Open Studies, The Open University (2005)
At Cornell
Andy Smith, the eighth head coach in Cornell field hockey history, has steadily elevated the Big Red into a nationally competitive program since his appointment in May 2019. Known for his innovative approach, player development and attacking style of play, Smith has guided Cornell to record-setting offensive production, national rankings and consistent contention within the Ivy League.
His vision for the program has taken shape on the field, and also off it. The 2025 season saw the debut of the new Marsha Dodson Field, while construction of a team clubhouse and indoor training facility is underway and expected to be completed in the summer of 2027.
In 2025, Cornell posted an 11-4 overall record (4-3 Ivy League), tying for third in the conference. The Big Red's strength of schedule was among the nation's toughest, with three of its four losses coming against NCAA Final Four teams. Offensively, Cornell led the country in penalty corners per game (10.53) and ranked among the top 12 nationally in assists per game (seventh), points per game (11th), shutouts per game (12th) and winning percentage (.733, 12th). Sophomore Uma Käding became the Big Red's fifth All-American in program history and second under Smith after tying for the conference's goal-scoring lead in the regular season (11).
Smith's tenure includes one of the most successful seasons in program history in 2023, when Cornell set a school record with 12 wins, climbed to No. 17 in the NFHCA poll, and earned the No. 2 seed in the inaugural Ivy League Tournament as conference runner-up. The Big Red led the nation in scoring average (3.21), assists per game (3.65) and points per game (10.47)—all program records—while also ranking second nationally in scoring margin. That group was powered by one of the most decorated players in program history in Caroline Ramsey, a three-time All-American and current U.S. National Team member who became Cornell’s all-time leading scorer, as well as her sister Julia Ramsey, who led Division I in assists in 2023 and was sixth in 2025. Caroline Ramsey became the program's first multi-time All-American and was also NFHCA Regional Player of the Year and Ivy League and ECAC Offensive Player of the Year.
In recognition of the good work of Smith and his staff, the Big Red coaches earned the NFHCA Mideast Regional Coaching Staff of the Year in 2023.
Under Smith's guidance, Cornell has produced elite individual performers, including All-Americans Caroline Ramsey and Uma Käding, along with All-Ivy and all-region standouts such as Bridget Mahoney, Maddy Conklin, Grace Leahy, Isabella Palde and Claire Wolfe. His emphasis on skill development has transformed players into dynamic, multi-dimensional contributors, particularly within the program's penalty corner unit and attacking structure — where specialists like Mahoney (stick stop) and Kate MacGillis (inserter) helped power some of the nation’s most efficient set-piece units - ranking 1-2 in Division I in assists in 2025.
Smith made an immediate impact in his debut season in 2019, leading Cornell to a 10-7 record (4-3 Ivy) and a third-place conference finish—marking one of the rare turnarounds from last to top-three in Ivy League history. That season also featured a historic home victory over nationally-ranked Syracuse and the development of Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year Maddie Henry, who tied the program’s career wins record.
Following the pandemic pause, Smith orchestrated continued growth in 2021, developing one of the most prolific offensive units in program history. His system helped unlock a record-breaking season from Caroline Ramsey, whose 18 goals and 40 points remain among the top single-season marks in program history and ranked among the national leaders. The following year, Ramsey ranked third nationally in defensive saves (10) and the Big Red earned its first top-five victory in program history when it defeated No. 4 Louisville at Dodson Field.
In 2024, Cornell finished 7-9 (3-4 Ivy) and narrowly missed the Ivy League Tournament on tiebreakers, despite closing the season strong and competing closely with multiple ranked opponents, including a last-second loss to then-No. 1 Northwestern.
Across his tenure, Smith has built Cornell into a program defined by pace, creativity and efficiency. His approach to coaching may be as unconventional as it is effective. No drills, no cones, no conditioning— just playing. Smith's athletes have thrived as a result of his motto of keeping it simple and more than anything, remembering to have fun.
Prior To Cornell
In his six years with Pacific, Smith posted a combined record of 61-57 overall as well as a mark of 22-14 in conference play. He led Pacific to four regular season conference titles, and his 2016 squad set the school record for most wins and most goals scored in a single season.
Under his tutelage the Tigers had 22 all-conference selections, including four conference player of the year as well as five All-America honorees. He also had five student-athletes selected to participate in FIH World level events.
Prior to his time at Pacific, Smith spent a combined 11 seasons as an assistant coach at Cal and Dartmouth, including six seasons as associate head coach under Amy Fowler for the Big Green. In his time at Dartmouth, Smith helped guide the Big Green to five top-three finishes in the Ivy League.
International Coaching Experience
Smith spent a decade with USA Field Hockey, coaching in various capacities, including a 13-0 run with the national team as he served as a drag flick coach and consultant. He was also an assistant coach for the U20 and U23 squads and served as the Director of the Olympic Development selection camps in June 2003 and 2004.
Personal
Smith is a native of Doncaster, England.
Last Updated April 2026
