NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion University Field Hockey Head Coach Andrew Griffiths has announced the return of ODU Sports Hall of Famer Mimi Smith as an assistant coach on Thursday.
“It’s exciting to welcome Mimi back to ODU, it is a win for us in several ways.” Said ODU Head Coach Andrew Griffiths. “First and foremost, Mimi is a high-quality individual, she is kind, thoughtful and an energetic, strong person. She is a fantastic role model for the young women in our program, she also brings a wealth of experience to her coaching role.”
Smith was named the 1999 Honda Award winner as the nation's top field hockey player and was the second African American to win the award. She helped lead the Lady Monarchs to the 1998 NCAA national title. The two-time All-American was a third team selection in 1997 and a first team selection in 1998.
Smith was named to the NCAA All-Tournament squad in 1997. As a freshman, she was the 1995 CAA Rookie of the Year and as a senior, she was named CAA Defender of the Year. Smith ranks among ODU's top ten all-time with 50 career assists and earned a spot on the U.S. National team. Smith was inducted into the ODU Sports Hall of Fame on April 29, 2008.
“Not only is she a decorated NCAA National Champion as a player, a former Monarch and a former member of the US National Team; she is also an experienced coach at the NCAA, club, and high school levels,” added Griffiths. “As a high profile and respected Alumna of ODU Field Hockey, she will help to solidify and grow connections with our large and highly connected Alumnae base, simply put, it’s just great having her here!”
Prior to taking the position as ODU’s assistant coach, Smith worked at the NFHCA where she was unanimously voted to their executive board as the first Black Coaches Council to sit on it. She returned to the sideline as head coach at Garrison Forest School in Baltimore where she helped lead the program to back-to-back Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Championships in 2022 and 2023. She finished with a record of 27-4-1 over the two years. Smith then joined William & Mary’s field hockey program as an assistant coach in May of 2024.
Old Dominion finished last season with an overall record of 11-6 before losing in double overtime to Temple in the BIG EAST Conference Semifinals 2-1 in Providence, Rhode Island. Smith replaces longtime associate head coach Natalie Holder, who took the head coaching position at Norfolk Academy High School. Assistant coach Peter Taylor also stepped down from his position.