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 was named the eighth head coach in Cornell field hockey history in May 2019.
“I am most impressed with the will and determination he exudes,” said Andy Noel, The Meakem*Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education. “He certainly brings the knowledge of tactics and strategies that are required and his focus on recruiting and player development suggests a considerable impact on our program.”
In just his second season of action, Smith led Cornell to its first top-five win as a program, when it defeated #4 ranked Louisville at Dodson Field. Smith helped developed the goalkeeping unit, helping Aerin Park to earn four shut-outs, a National Player of the Week nod from the NFHCA, and an All-Region recognition. His work with Caroline Ramsey changed developed her into a two-way player, where she led the team in goals and points, while also tallying 10 defensive saves, good for third-most nationally. In 2022 alone, Smith oversaw four All-Ivy awardees, and an All-American in Ramsey.
Smith's forte in game strategy and student-athlete development was on full display during Cornell's return to action in the 2021-22 season.
Smith's offense worked through Ramsey as she would go on to finish the season fourth in the NCAA in points per game with 2.35 after scoring in each game where the Big Red recorded a goal. Her 18 goals in 2021 are the most by a member of the Big Red in a single season and her 40 points (18 goals, four assists) in 2021 also ranks #1 amongst Cornellians in a single season.
Ramsey's 18 goals— all the result of penalty corners— would not have been possible without the efforts of two more Smith-developed players in Bridget Mahoney and Kate MacGillis. Mahoney served as the stick stop for all 84 Big Red penalty corners and held the ball in place for each of Ramsey's 18 goals. Her 18 assists are the most in a single season in the history of Cornell field hockey and she finished the season ranked No. 1 in the NCAA with 1.06 assists per game. Kate MacGillis served as the team's primary inserter for the second half of the season and finished the year ranked second in the NCAA in assists per game with .80.
Returning to a post-pandemic world and bringing in 16 newcomers, the 2021 season saw the Big Red post an 8-9 record and featured the team's largest margin of victory over an opponent in five years when it took down Columbia at home, 5-0 (previous margin was a 5-0 win over Colgate on Sept. 3, 2016). Caroline Ramsey was named First Team All-Ivy, while Isabella Palde was named to the second team, Aerin Park and Bridget Mahoney were named honorable mentions and Kate MacGillis was named Academic All-Ivy.
Smith began his first season at Cornell with a historic win over Syracuse at Marsha Dodson Field. The 2-1 victory was not only the first time the Big Red beat Syracuse since 2007, but also proved to be the first win over the team at home. With a 4-3 Ivy League record, 10-7 overall, Smith led the Big Red field hockey team to a third place finish in the Ivy League. For just the seventh time in Ivy League history, and third in Cornell program history, a team went from last in the Ivy League to finishing in the top three the following year.
Smith coached the 2019 Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year, goaltender Maddie Henry '20, to tie the career record for wins (25), with 10 coming from her final collegiate season. Henry, along with midfielder Maddy Conklin '20, were both named First-Team All-Mideast Region to become just the second pair in Cornell history to garner first-team honors in the same year. With the help of Smith's direction, Conklin was selected to play in the NFHCA Senior All-Star Game before being named Third-Team All-America by Synapse Sports.
Cornell was even better in 2023, setting a school record for wins (12), reaching No. 17 in the NFHCA poll and earning the No. 2 seed in the inaugural Ivy League Tournament as the 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 single-season school records. Cornell was also second in Division I in scoring margin (1.99) and second in the Ivy League and 15th nationally in scoring defense (1.22 goals allowed per game) with five shutouts. Caroline Ramsey was nation's No. 2 scorer and became the school's all-time scoring leader, while sister Julia paced Division I in assists. Caroline Ramsey became the first Cornellian to earn All-America honors twice, was the Northeast Regional Offensive Player of the Year, and also gained recognition as Offensive Player of the Year by the Ivy League and ECAC. 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.
The Big Red closed the 2024 season with a 7-9 record (3-4 Ivy) and tied for fourth in the final Ivy League standings, though it lost out on making the conference tournament due to tiebreakers. Cornell went 4-1 down the stretch, and six of its nine losses came against top 20 opponents. Included was a 1-0, last-second loss to then-No. 1 Northwestern and one-goal losses to nationally-ranked foes UAlbany and Louisville.
Smith's 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 June 2025
