ALLENDALE – Grand Valley State head women's soccer coach, Katelyn Longino, announced today (Feb. 25) the addition of Jade Smith to the coaching staff as assistant coach.
 
"I am excited to welcome Jade Smith as our new assistant women's soccer coach," Longino said. "With her exceptional expertise in tactics, recruitment, and player development, Jade brings a meticulous and intentional approach to every aspect of the game. Her strategic mindset, dedication to excellence, and ability to build meaningful relationships with players will elevate our program. I am confident that her attention to detail and commitment to growth will make a lasting impact on both our team and the future of Grand Valley State soccer."
 
Smith comes to GVSU after serving as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at St. Cloud State for six seasons. During her time at St. Cloud State, Smith helped lead the program to its first and second NCAA national tournament appearances in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. In the 2023 season, Smith helped lead the Huskies to their first regular season conference championship in program history.
 
"First and foremost, I'd like to thank St. Cloud State and coach Gretta Macdonald. The past six years of professional and personal growth has helped prepare me for this opportunity," said Smith. "Thank you to Athletic Director Keri Becker and coach Katelyn Longino for welcoming me into Laker Nation. I couldn't be more excited to be a part of Coach Longino's era. Her championship vision and standards will elevate the program and continue to build upon the championship tradition at GVSU." 
 
Smith, who holds a USSF "A" coaching license, served as the Technical Director for the Magic Soccer Football Club in Bismarck, North Dakota from 2016 to 2019 and was a coach with the Olympic Development Program (ODP) for North Dakota and South Dakota. She also served on the staff of the Region 2 ODP. In 2018 and 2019, Smith was a varsity assistant coach for the soccer team at Legacy High School in Bismarck, North Dakota and worked as a student assistant coach at Mary during the summer of 2018.
 
A 2018 graduate of the University of Mary, Smith was a standout four-year player for the Marauders from 2015 to 2018. She scored 11 goals, nine assists and 31 points during her collegiate career at Mary and was named to the All-NSIC team in 2017. The University of Mary Inspirational Athlete of the Year in 2017, Smith served as a team captain during her junior and senior seasons and also gained Academic All-NSIC accolades during her collegiate tenure. She majored in coaching and sports studies with a minor in sports management at Mary.