FORT MYERS, Fla. – With the departure of long-time FGCU head coach Neal Studd last month, two-year assistant coach Amanda Smith has been named the program’s interim head coach as the athletic department’s efforts to replace Studd continue.
As Smith oversees the day-to-day responsibilities of the program that spans from preseason workouts to recruiting, FGCU Director of Athletics Ken Kavanagh and the appointed search committee work toward filling the void left by Studd in the coming weeks.
“I’m very happy for Neal with his new opportunity at FSU,” said Smith. “With that comes some changes, and I’m very thankful of our administrative staff for giving me the opportunity during this transitional period. The biggest goal for myself during this time is for the team to stay focused on our goals of winning, having fun while doing so and keeping the tight-knit family culture we’ve always been about.”
Last spring, Smith wrapped up her second season with FGCU which saw the Eagles claim its seventh CCSA Championship in program history and second in as many seasons with Smith serving as assistant coach.
During her first season in Southwest Florida, Smith helped led the Eagles to one of the program’s most successful seasons when they finished in a mid-major best 26th at the 2015 NCAA Championships. Also, the Eagles earned 37.5 points in the championship meet, surpassing its previous high of 22 points recorded in 2014.
A year ago, FGCU posted a record-setting 1,670 points and outscored runner-up Liberty by more than 300 en route to its most recent conference championship. The Green and Blue matched a program record for dual-meet wins in a single season (12), previously recorded in 2009-10, and defeated a quartet of nationally-ranked opponents in No. 31 FSU (220.5-132.5), No. 35 Boise State (159-140), No. 37 Notre Dame (158-104) and No. 44 Utah (165-135). Additionally, after clocking five school-record times at the Georgia Tech Invite, the team achieved its highest ranking in program history as CollegeSwimming.com tabbed the Eagles No. 19 in the country.
“I care a lot for this program, and our student-athletes know I have their best interest in mind as I provide some stability for them while the search is underway,’ Smith added. “I’m very excited and thankful to have such a great opportunity for the time being.”
Prior to joining FGCU as an assistant coach in 2014, Smith served as a volunteer director of operations for the Ohio State women’s team during the 2013-14 season.
After graduating from USC with a Bachelor’s in Human Performance in 2012, Smith began working on her Master’s in Education and coaching full-time in her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. Splitting time between a pair of programs, she acted as the associate head coach at Mason High School and as the assistant coach with the Mason Manta Rays.
After spending the first two years of her collegiate career at Indiana, Smith transferred to USC, where she won a total of nine All-American awards and served as co-captain during her final season.
During Smith’s tenure with the Trojans, the program claimed back-to-back third-place finishes at the NCAA Championship. Attending the 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012 NCAA Championships, Smith’s best accomplishments came during her senior year where she placed 15th in the 500 yard-freestyle (4:40.59), 13th in the 200-yard butterfly (1:56.32) and anchored the 800-yard freestyle relay that placed fourth with a then-program record of 6:59.12.
Coming off its seventh CCSA Championship in a span of eight years, the Green and Blue looks to keep things going as the 2016-17 season begins Sept. 23-25 at the All-Florida Invite in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
This swimming story is courtesy of Florida Gulf Coast University Athletics.
