Mike Smith (running coach)

Mike Smith (born April 3, 1980) is an American coach who has been the director of cross country and track and field at Northern Arizona University since 2017. As the head coach of the men's and women's programs, he has led the men's teams to five NCAA Division I men's cross country championships titles.

Smith has been credited with establishing a running dynasty at Northern Arizona. His coaching philosophy involves emphasizing "executing a great team race" at championships rather than focusing on the final outcome.

Prior to Northern Arizona University
As a runner, Smith competed for the Wachusett Regional High School Mountaineers where his team placed 2nd at the 1997 Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association cross country championships. Smith also placed 8th at the 1998 New Balance Outdoor Nationals two-mile run.

After completing his collegiate running career at Georgetown University, Smith worked as an elementary school teacher for two years and earned a master's degree. He did not compete during this time period. In 2006, he moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, where he worked under Dr. Jack Daniels at the NAU Center for High Altitude Training and founded Team Run Flagstaff. During this time period, Smith competed in trail and road races and qualified for and competed in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials in the marathon.

Smith returned to Georgetown as a coach in 2012. He rose through the ranks to eventually become the Director of Cross Country and Track and Field during the 2015–2016 academic year.

As director of Northern Arizona cross country and track
Smith joined the NAU cross country coaching staff in fall 2016 in anticipation of the retirement of the current head coach, Eric Heins. That season, the men's team built off of fourth, second, and fourth place team finishes in the three preceding years to win the 2016 NCAA men's NCAA Division I title. Mike Smith officially became the Northern Arizona University's Director of Cross Country and Track in 2017.

Individual NCAA titles and records
Under Smith, four male athletes have won indoor and NCAA Division I titles: Andy Trouard in the 3000 m in 2018, George Beamish in the mile in 2019, Abdihamid Nur in the 3000m and 5000m in 2022, and Nico Young in the 3000 m and 5000 m in 2024. As of the conclusion of the outdoor NCAA season in 2023, Smith has yet to win an NCAA outdoor title.

As of 2024, Smith's athletes hold collegiate records in the indoor 3000 m (by Drew Bosley in 2023) and the absolute 5000 m and 10,000 m records (by Nico Young in 2024). Smith-trained Abdihamid Nur previously held the 5000 m record.

Current

 * Luis Grijalva 🇬🇹 (2017–present)
 * Elly Henes 🇺🇸 (2021–present)
 * Nikki Hiltz 🇺🇸 (2022–present)
 * Woody Kincaid 🇺🇸 (2023–present)
 * Abdihamid Nur 🇺🇸 (2017–present)
 * Galen Rupp 🇺🇸 (2020–present)
 * Colin Sahlman 🇺🇸 (2022–present)
 * Rachel Smith 🇺🇸 (2013–present)
 * Nico Young 🇺🇸 (2020–present)

Former

 * Matt Baxter 🇳🇿 (2016-2018)
 * George Beamish 🇳🇿 (2016–2020)
 * Andy Trouard 🇺🇸 (2016–2018)

Personal
Born in 1980, Smith attended and competed for Wachusett High School in Holden, Massachusetts. Smith is married to professional runner Rachel Schneider (now Rachel Smith). They initially met at Georgetown University, where Smith coached Schneider. Both relocated to Flagstaff, AZ, and, while Smith continued to coach Schneider, the pair began dating. The couple has one child, Nova, born in 2023.