Colorado Rush hires former MLS coach Gary Smith as Academy Director

(Via Colorado Rush) – Colorado Rush Soccer Club has announced the addition of new Academy Director, former MLS head coach and English League One coach for Stevenage, Gary Smith.

Smith will officially begin his tenure with the club on February 1, and will work with both the girls and boys Academy programs. Colorado Rush is a full member of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy on the boys side, and will be an inaugural member of the Girls Development Academy, which kicks off in Fall 2017.

Smith’s playing and coaching career includes numerous honors and awards, as well as a 2010 MLS Cup title as head coach of the Colorado Rapids. He has also previously served on the academy and reserves coaching staff for English Premier League side Watford, and as a scout for Arsenal. His most recent head coaching stops include English side Stevenage and the Atlanta Silverbacks.

As a player, Smith came up through the Arsenal and Fulham Academy systems and went on to have a career lasting more than 12 years at the senior level for multiple English clubs in various divisions.