Smart Selected as Next Head Coach of Wake Forest Volleyball
10/11/2019 1:44:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Wake Forest removes interim title and names Randi Smart head volleyball coach.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Director of Athletics John Currie announced Friday that interim head volleyball coach Randi Smart has been promoted to head coach. Smart, who has exemplified Wake Forest's commitment to excellence and focus on providing a world-class student-athlete experience, will be the 12th head coach in the history of the Demon Deacon volleyball program.
"Coach Smart has earned our confidence in how she has kept her focus on the wellbeing of her student-athletes during a challenging time of uncertainty in the program," said Director of Athletics John Currie. "She has a combination of volleyball knowledge and competitive fire along with a demonstrated commitment to creating a positive culture for her student-athletes which we believe position her as the right choice to lead our program to sustained success."
Smart joined the Demon Deacons in 2017 as associate head coach and was named interim head coach in March 2019. She has led Wake Forest to a 11-4 start this season.
"It is a privilege to have this amazing opportunity. I'm thrilled to be able to lead these young women in a direction where they will find confidence, courage and great success," Smart said. "I want to thank John Currie and Barbara Walker for their support and belief in what we want to continue to build. I also want to thank the athletic department and my coaching colleagues. Wake Forest's commitment to build volleyball is powerful and I am honored to be a part of it."
Since 2016, Wake Forest Athletics has invested over $1.5 million dollars in volleyball facilities including the total renovation of Varsity Gym and dedicated volleyball team complex complete with a brand new locker room, team meeting space and training room. The elite facilities coupled with exceptional academic services allows Wake Forest volleyball to compete for championships while creating a world-class student-athlete experience.
"I'm so happy for Randi and her family," junior Caroline Kuhn said. "There is no one I know who deserves this more. I am really excited to see where she takes the program. She fit so seamlessly into the interim role starting last spring and we have had so much support with everything around us, from facilities, academics, and coaching. Everything has been so positive this season and that all starts with Randi."
Wake Forest retained Chad Chatlos and Katy Young-Staudt of Ventura Partners to assist with the process of reviewing the program and prospective head coaching candidates. Ventura's process included numerous discussions with coaches, athletic directors, and well-respected contacts throughout the national volleyball community and elicited interest in the Wake Forest position from a number of successful sitting head coaches and experienced assistant coaches.
"It has been a very rewarding experience to work closely with Randi. Not only has she shown herself to be a very capable and talented coach, but she has also become someone I admire greatly and am proud to call my colleague and friend. Our program is in great hands, and I look forward to the future of Wake Volleyball," said Deputy Athletics Director Barbara Walker.
Before arriving at Wake Forest, Smart spent eight years as the women's volleyball head coach at Cal State Los Angeles. She joined the Golden Eagles as an assistant coach in 2008 and was promoted to the head coach position in 2009. In her first season, she led the Golden Eagles to a 23-9 overall record and a spot in the NCAA Division II West Region championship match. Smart's winning program included an overall record of 136-90, eight All-Americans, 18 All-CCAA members, nine All-Region athletes and the program's second-ever CoSIDA Academic All-America award.
Prior to her time at Cal State Los Angeles, Smart spent a combined 10 years as an assistant coach at Cal Poly Pomona and the University of La Verne. As an assistant at Cal Poly Pomona for four seasons, the Broncos went 73-40, while in her six years at La Verne, the Leopards won the program's third-ever national championship in 2001.
Smart played overseas in Austria for one year after finishing her career at LSU in 1997. She spent her freshman and sophomore seasons playing at Utah State where she was named "Rookie of the Year" before transferring to LSU for her final two seasons. While with the Tigers, she received All-SEC honors.
Smart and her husband Craig have two children, Tyler and Jordan.
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What They Are Saying about Coach Randi Smart:
Coach Smart has earned our confidence in how she has kept her focus on the wellbeing of her student-athletes during a challenging time of uncertainty in the program. She has a combination of volleyball knowledge and competitive fire along with a demonstrated commitment to creating a positive culture for her student-athletes which we believe position her as the right choice to lead our program to sustained success.
John Currie
Director of Athletics
Wake Forest University
It has been a very rewarding experience to work closely with Randi. Not only has she shown herself to be a very capable and talented coach, but she has also become someone I admire greatly and am proud to call my colleague and friend. Our program is in great hands, and I look forward to the future of Wake Volleyball.
Barbara Walker
Deputy Director of Athletics
Wake Forest University
I am extremely excited to watch a very talented, passionate and persuasive coach direct, lead and mentor her students. Randi has the skill sets to advance this program in the most positive direction.
Jen Averill
Head Coach
Wake Forest Field Hockey
I'm so happy for Randi and her family. There is no one I know who deserves this more. I am really excited to see where she takes the program. She fit so seamlessly into the interim role starting last spring and we have had so much support with everything around us, from facilities, academics, and coaching. Everything has been so positive this season and that all starts with Randi.
Caroline Kuhn
Junior
Wake Forest Volleyball and ACC Autonomy Representative
I am really excited for Coach Smart and her family for her to be named head coach. I am a little sad that I only get her as a coach for one year since I am a senior, but I am excited to see where she takes this program. I can only see it going up from here. I am just really excited for her and the girls and I can't wait to see where Wake Forest volleyball goes with her at the helm.
Caitlin Clarke
Senior
Wake Forest Volleyball
I am so happy for Randi and her family and the entire Wake Forest volleyball community. She has done so much for this team already and I know she is going to lead the program to great success in the future. Overall, the entire team is really happy to see her be named head coach and we can't wait to see what the rest of this season and the future of Wake Forest volleyball holds.
Caitlyn Della
Senior
Wake Forest Volleyball
"Coach Smart has earned our confidence in how she has kept her focus on the wellbeing of her student-athletes during a challenging time of uncertainty in the program," said Director of Athletics John Currie. "She has a combination of volleyball knowledge and competitive fire along with a demonstrated commitment to creating a positive culture for her student-athletes which we believe position her as the right choice to lead our program to sustained success."
Smart joined the Demon Deacons in 2017 as associate head coach and was named interim head coach in March 2019. She has led Wake Forest to a 11-4 start this season.
"It is a privilege to have this amazing opportunity. I'm thrilled to be able to lead these young women in a direction where they will find confidence, courage and great success," Smart said. "I want to thank John Currie and Barbara Walker for their support and belief in what we want to continue to build. I also want to thank the athletic department and my coaching colleagues. Wake Forest's commitment to build volleyball is powerful and I am honored to be a part of it."
Since 2016, Wake Forest Athletics has invested over $1.5 million dollars in volleyball facilities including the total renovation of Varsity Gym and dedicated volleyball team complex complete with a brand new locker room, team meeting space and training room. The elite facilities coupled with exceptional academic services allows Wake Forest volleyball to compete for championships while creating a world-class student-athlete experience.
"I'm so happy for Randi and her family," junior Caroline Kuhn said. "There is no one I know who deserves this more. I am really excited to see where she takes the program. She fit so seamlessly into the interim role starting last spring and we have had so much support with everything around us, from facilities, academics, and coaching. Everything has been so positive this season and that all starts with Randi."
Wake Forest retained Chad Chatlos and Katy Young-Staudt of Ventura Partners to assist with the process of reviewing the program and prospective head coaching candidates. Ventura's process included numerous discussions with coaches, athletic directors, and well-respected contacts throughout the national volleyball community and elicited interest in the Wake Forest position from a number of successful sitting head coaches and experienced assistant coaches.
"It has been a very rewarding experience to work closely with Randi. Not only has she shown herself to be a very capable and talented coach, but she has also become someone I admire greatly and am proud to call my colleague and friend. Our program is in great hands, and I look forward to the future of Wake Volleyball," said Deputy Athletics Director Barbara Walker.
Before arriving at Wake Forest, Smart spent eight years as the women's volleyball head coach at Cal State Los Angeles. She joined the Golden Eagles as an assistant coach in 2008 and was promoted to the head coach position in 2009. In her first season, she led the Golden Eagles to a 23-9 overall record and a spot in the NCAA Division II West Region championship match. Smart's winning program included an overall record of 136-90, eight All-Americans, 18 All-CCAA members, nine All-Region athletes and the program's second-ever CoSIDA Academic All-America award.
Prior to her time at Cal State Los Angeles, Smart spent a combined 10 years as an assistant coach at Cal Poly Pomona and the University of La Verne. As an assistant at Cal Poly Pomona for four seasons, the Broncos went 73-40, while in her six years at La Verne, the Leopards won the program's third-ever national championship in 2001.
Smart played overseas in Austria for one year after finishing her career at LSU in 1997. She spent her freshman and sophomore seasons playing at Utah State where she was named "Rookie of the Year" before transferring to LSU for her final two seasons. While with the Tigers, she received All-SEC honors.
Smart and her husband Craig have two children, Tyler and Jordan.
--
What They Are Saying about Coach Randi Smart:
Coach Smart has earned our confidence in how she has kept her focus on the wellbeing of her student-athletes during a challenging time of uncertainty in the program. She has a combination of volleyball knowledge and competitive fire along with a demonstrated commitment to creating a positive culture for her student-athletes which we believe position her as the right choice to lead our program to sustained success.
John Currie
Director of Athletics
Wake Forest University
It has been a very rewarding experience to work closely with Randi. Not only has she shown herself to be a very capable and talented coach, but she has also become someone I admire greatly and am proud to call my colleague and friend. Our program is in great hands, and I look forward to the future of Wake Volleyball.
Barbara Walker
Deputy Director of Athletics
Wake Forest University
I am extremely excited to watch a very talented, passionate and persuasive coach direct, lead and mentor her students. Randi has the skill sets to advance this program in the most positive direction.
Jen Averill
Head Coach
Wake Forest Field Hockey
I'm so happy for Randi and her family. There is no one I know who deserves this more. I am really excited to see where she takes the program. She fit so seamlessly into the interim role starting last spring and we have had so much support with everything around us, from facilities, academics, and coaching. Everything has been so positive this season and that all starts with Randi.
Caroline Kuhn
Junior
Wake Forest Volleyball and ACC Autonomy Representative
I am really excited for Coach Smart and her family for her to be named head coach. I am a little sad that I only get her as a coach for one year since I am a senior, but I am excited to see where she takes this program. I can only see it going up from here. I am just really excited for her and the girls and I can't wait to see where Wake Forest volleyball goes with her at the helm.
Caitlin Clarke
Senior
Wake Forest Volleyball
I am so happy for Randi and her family and the entire Wake Forest volleyball community. She has done so much for this team already and I know she is going to lead the program to great success in the future. Overall, the entire team is really happy to see her be named head coach and we can't wait to see what the rest of this season and the future of Wake Forest volleyball holds.
Caitlyn Della
Senior
Wake Forest Volleyball
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