University of Oklahoma Athletics
Soccer Names Alexis Smith as Goalkeepers Coach
April 10, 2023 | Soccer
NORMAN – Oklahoma soccer head coach Mark Carr announced Monday the addition of Alexis Smith to the staff as assistant coach. Smith will oversee the program's goalkeepers.
Smith joins the Sooners following a five-year tenure as assistant coach and goalie coach at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where she helped the Cougars to three Ohio Valley Conference tournament championships and three straight NCAA tournament appearances.
"We are excited to welcome Alexis to our OU soccer family," said Carr. "Alexis arrives at an exciting time for our program, and I know she will make an immediate impact. She is experienced and has just acquired her USSF B License. What stood out during the interview process was how ambitious, driven, curious, passionate and hungry to learn she is. I know she will be a great role model and resource for our student-athletes. She has been part of a championship culture at SIUE, and I know those experiences will only enhance what we are doing here at OU and the goals we want to accomplish together.
"I would like to thank (former GK coach) Maryse Bard-Martel for all her work here at OU the last three years," continued Carr. "She worked tirelessly to help build our program and get it to where it is today, a strong place. I am happy she is moving closer to family, and I know she is going to do great things in her coaching career, and we all wish her the very best of luck."
Under Smith's guidance, SIUE keepers registered a combined 15 shutouts over the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Before her time in Edwardsville, Smith worked as an assistant and goalkeepers coach at her alma mater, Bowling Green State, for one season in 2017.
"I'd like to thank Mark for this amazing opportunity to join the Sooner family," said Smith on joining Oklahoma. "I could tell with my first step on campus and speaking with all those involved with the soccer program that there is something special building here and I'm excited to help be part of establishing a winning tradition.
"I'd also like to thank Derek Burton, head coach at SIUE for his mentorship, guidance and support in this next chapter of my career."
Smith earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from BGSU in 2016, playing 10 matches across two seasons for the Falcons (2014-15) and registering 23 saves. The Livonia, Mich., native began her collegiate career at Schoolcraft College in her hometown, playing two seasons and helping the Ocelots to a combined 22-2-2 record with a 0.18 goals-against average. She allowed just one goal in her two years while posting 29 saves.
Smith has worked at numerous levels of club soccer. She earned her USSF B license in 2022 and holds a national diploma from United Soccer Coaches, an NSCAA Advanced National Goalkeeper Diploma and USSF C, D, E and F licenses.
Carr also announced the addition of Miranda Miller as director of soccer operations. Miller joins OU after a year and a half as the director of operations for University of North Carolina-Charlotte soccer. She also brings graduate teaching experience from the University of Iowa and development and operational experience from USA Track and Field and American Legion Baseball.
Miller attained her bachelor's in sports management and coaching, with an emphasis in anatomy and biomechanics from the University of Nebraska-Kearney in 2019 before earning a master's in sports and recreation management with an emphasis in NCAA compliance from Iowa in 2021.
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