STATESBORO - The men's soccer coaching staff has been completed with the hiring of assistant coach James Smith, head coach Lee Squires announced on Wednesday. This brings the soccer staff to full working capacity with four coaches.
 
"I am delighted to get James on board and continue working together," Squires said. "His passion, commitment and knowledge will serve our program well moving forward. James has made an immediate impact already among the players who have responded well to his coaching and leadership."
 
Smith arrives from Lander University, where he was Squires' assistant coach for the previous season. In 2022, Smith helped lead the Bearcats to a Peach Belt Conference tournament championship and a NCAA Division II Tournament appearance. The Bearcats finished with a 12-3-6 overall record and went 8-1-3 in PBC play.
 
"I am excited and extremely grateful to have been given this role and being a part of Georgia Southern men's soccer," said Smith. "I would like to thank Coach Squires for the opportunity as well as President Marrero, Director of Athletics Jared Benko and Chief Operating Officer of Athletics Chris Davis. It has already been a fantastic couple of weeks working with players and staff and I can't wait for the fall to compete in one of the best conferences in the country. We have big goals and aspirations for this program and look forward to building a strong, hard working and competitive team."
 
Prior to his second stint at Lander, Smith was part of the creation of Carolina Velocity FC, a youth soccer organization based out of Raleigh, N.C. Smith was responsible for player development while with the organization. During this time, Smith was a part of Greenville FC from 2018-2019, where he was coached by Squires.
 
In 2017, Smith was hired by Lander for his first stint with the Bearcats. Smith helped the squad achieve a 13-4-3 record, including an undefeated mark in PBC play at 6-0-1. Lander would win the PBC Tournament and make a run to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament before falling 3-2 in double-overtime to Young Harris.
 
Prior to 2017, Smith served as a graduate assistant at ETSU, where he earned his masters in Kinesiology and Sports Science with a concentration in Exercise Physiology and Performance. Smith was a two-year GA with the Buccaneers after playing his final year of eligibility at ETSU in 2015.
 
Smith scored seven goals with five assists for a total of 19 points at ETSU, earning First Team All-SoCon honors and earned SoCon Player of the Month in September 2015 after scoring four goals and a pair of assists. Smith started and played in all 19 matches for ETSU, which including upset wins over #15 Kentucky and UNCG in the SoCon Tournament.

A four-year starter for Eagles head coach Lee Squires at Lees-McRae from 2011-14, Smith started 60 matches and tallied 53 career points with 17 goals and 19 assists. He earned All-Conference, All-Region, and First Team Academic All-American honors at Lees-McRae.

Smith also spent three seasons in the Premier Developmental League, playing for the Carolina Dynamo from 2013-14 and GPS Portland Phoenix in 2015.

Smith earned a bachelor's in sports science from Lees-McRae in 2014.