Entering his second year as head coach of the Greyhounds, Dustin Smith has changed the direction of the team. A once prominent program that was considered a dynasty in the mid 90’s (won three state titles in four years) has taken a step forward to work towards repairing their image through hard work, dedication and commitment.

Born in Chicago, IL, Dustin moved to Florida as an infant and grew up playing club soccer for the Challengers 76 (Space Coast) and FC America (Orlando) respectively.

He graduated in 1994 from Melbourne High School where he captained the 1994 State Champion Bulldogs to a 21-1-2 record his senior year. The team achieved a #3 ranking in the nation voted on by Adidas/Soccer America by beating Miami Beach High Tide in the final and he was awarded a spot on the Florida All - State Selection Team.

Dustin then continued his playing career in Charleston, SC playing from 1994-1998 as a four year starter and earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. While playing for the Charleston Southern University Buccaneers, he captained the 1997 Charleston squad to a 16-5-1 record and earned the programs first-ever NCAA Tournament berth against No. 2 nationally ranked South Carolina Gamecocks. Smith was voted to the Big South All Conference Team in 1996 and 1997.

Following his collegiate career, Dustin played two seasons with the USL’s Myrtle Beach Sea Dawgs from 1998-1999 under Coach David Erving (former English Premier League Striker).

Smith also served as an assistant coach at Coastal Carolina University (1998 – 2000) under the coaching tutelage of his former coach Shaun Docking helping restore the Chanticleers back into the national spotlight and NCAA tournament in 1999 while recruiting the soon to be All American and third pick in the 2002 MLS draft Joseph Nygwenya amongst numerous other NSCAA/Adidas All Americans.

He later joined the women’s coaching staff at Coastal Carolina University under Head Coach Karrie Miller formerly the assistant at University of South Carolina and Head Coach of Charleston Southern University and Erskine College. This was the inception of the women’s program and Smith enjoyed being part of a staff that was building a program from the floor up, which has now won several Big South Conference Championships and received national notoriety.

In 1999 through 2001 Dustin had the unique experience of implementing and establishing partnerships with the top youth soccer clubs in the Southeast, Midwest and Northeast United states through Gatorade. Here he executed relevant grassroots marketing initiatives to interact directly with consumers and create memory points while educating soccer players, coaches and parents with relevant messages on the superior benefits of Gatorade. His position leveraged existing brand assets (specifically US Soccer and Mia Hamm) while utilizing relevant properties, events, venues and appropriate retail/availability channels to deliver a unique brand experience. He had the additional opportunity to work with the WUSA professional league through the sponsorship of Gatorade and specifically the Carolina Courage. The management company also handled the contracts for the ADIDAS ESP program which identified the top high school prospects throughout the country and prepared them for college, as well as working with both the Women’s National Team and ACC coach’s contracts.

He currently plays in the Central Florida Soccer League with the Raggamuffins soccer club.
Dustin holds his USSF “C” license and National NSCAA diploma.