Brad Smith has stepped down as the head women’s and men’s swimming and diving coach at Youngstown State following seven seasons with the program. Before joining Youngstown State, Smith served five seasons as head coach at Binghamton and two seasons at Western Colorado, and also spent time as an assistant at Maine. He was named head coach of the Penguins in 2019, the first season of the men’s swimming and diving program.
“I am very thankful to YSU, President Bill Johnson and First Lady LeeAnn Johnson, our athletic department, Ron Strollo, and Rebecca Fink for trusting in me,” Smith said in a press release from Youngstown State Athletics. “Most importantly, thankful to the many wonderful student-athletes who have come through my life. I’ve formed years of meaningful memories and relationships that I’ll never forget and always cherish.”
In his time with the Penguins, Smith’s swimmers totaled 12 individual Horizon League championship titles and guided both the men’s and women’s teams to their highest conference finishes in program history (women: 4th in 2024, 2025, 2026; men: 3rd in 2026). Smith has also coached the last two women’s Horizon League Championship swimmers of the meet: Miriam Frass in 2025 and, most recently, Olivia Sweetman in 2026.
Academically, his programs have been named to the CSCAA Scholar All-American teams each of the last six years, with 39 athletes named to the Horizon League All-Academic team in that time.
He also contributed to the creation of the YSU Invite, which took place this past winter and was the program’s first invitational hosted in the Beeghly Natatorium on the Youngstown State campus.
In June of 2023, Smith was involved in a fatal car crash that killed his 8-month-old son, leaving him seriously injured. Smith would find his way back onto the deck less than a year later, and would continue coaching the Penguins for three more seasons.
Forever grateful for Brad and everything he’s done for me and the program. There are not too many people out there like Brad Smith, and I am so thankful to been apart of his coaching journey.
Brad Smith is the epitome of what a college coach should be.
Besides being a great motivator and mentor at the pool, he found life-teaching opportunities during times of immense personal tragedy, persevered in the face of gruesome and painful injuries, demonstrated what a strong mind can get you through, and truly embodied the grit that makes Youngstown and YSU special.
Best of luck Brad, thank you for showing us all how it should be done. Go Guins.