Casey Smith Era Begins for the Lady Bulldog Soccer Program

New Lady Bulldog Soccer Coach, Casey Smith, giving instruction to the team at an open field.

June 12th, 2026

Howard, Armstrong, Calvert and Smith. No, it’s not a law firm or advertising agency, it’s the list of Lady Bulldog Head Coaches who have led the program since its inception. 

Casey Smith officially became the 4th Lady Bulldogs Head Coach this week after former Head Coach Matt Calvert stepped down last month from the girls coaching position but maintained the head boys coach position. 

The official confirmation came during the scheduled Rolla School Board meeting on Thursday, June 11th, but Smith was able to introduce herself to the team and participate in soccer open fields prior to last night’s meeting. 

“I am extremely happy with the new coaches we have hired this year. I think we have been fortunate in getting high quality people with a lot of character and passion,” stated new Activities Director, Shannon Snitker.

Smith was a stand out soccer player in high school and college displaying an aggressive, attacking style. She was known as a fierce competitor that was focused on the task at hand. As a defender, she was tough as nails and didn’t back down to anyone. 

Look for Smith to leave that stamp on the Lady Bulldog program.

Coach Smith setting up the drills

Playing Career

Coach Smith attended Parkview High School in Springfield, Mo where she graduated in 2001. Smith was a 3-time first team All-State selection and was a 2-time Region Defender of the Year. During that time she was a member of the Missouri State Olympic Development Team.

Smith stayed home and played collegiately at Drury University. At that time, Drury’s Women’s Soccer program was an affiliate member in the NCAA Division I Missouri Valley Conference. Smith was a 3-year starter for the Lady Panthers and was twice named the Team Defender of the Year. 

A career of success on the field was highlighted when she was recognized by how she played and showed up on the field. Smith received the Harriet Hutchens Award for effort and character. 

Coaching Career

Smith began her coaching career after completion of her final season of college when she took on the Head Coaching duties at Cherokee Middle School in Springfield. 

Smith moved to the Rolla area and took over the helm of the St.James Lady Tigers soccer program that was in its 3rd year of existence. 

During her tenure, Smith compiled a record of 72-47-3 across 6 seasons making her the winningest coach in the St. James Soccer History.

Coming off of a winless season where only one goal was scored, Coach Smith will have her work cut out for her. She will work to bring together a group of inexperienced varsity players and a young group of incoming freshmen, while building a culture of aggressively, competitive play that matches the personality of the Coach.

About Casey Smith

Casey and her husband Josh have two kids, Easton and Kayden. Easton is a recent graduate of Rolla High School and has enrolled as a freshman at Truman State University where he will be playing football. Kaden, will be an incoming freshman at Rolla High School.

Q&A with Coach Smith

RoMoAthletics was able to catch up with Coach Smith and talk about her coaching background and what brought her back to the coaching life.

RoMo: You were 72-47-3 in your 6 years as the St. James Head Coach, talk about that experience.

I took over the program in its third year of existence. While there was some interest among the girls, participation was still limited. My first season was a valuable learning experience, as it gave me the opportunity to better understand the school, the community, and the needs of the program. We had some strong leaders, but we lacked consistent skill and experience. As a team, we focused on mastering the fundamentals and giving our best effort regardless of the circumstances.

Over the following years, our leaders continued to develop, and interest in the program steadily increased. We were fortunate to have a group of athletes who were committed to competing in multiple sports. When this was combined with the technical and tactical teaching of the game great things started to happen. In addition, we created a culture that was competitive, motivating and growth mindset oriented, this helped create several memorable and rewarding years for STJ Girls Soccer.

RoMo: After that level of success and growth of your team, what made you decide to leave coaching?

Coach Smith: Coaching is an incredibly rewarding experience, but it also requires a significant time commitment. At the end of my sixth season, we had our second child. As much as I loved coaching, I realized that my priorities needed to shift toward my family. I didn't want to miss the everyday moments and experiences that come with watching my kids grow up. 

RoMo: After 16 years away from coaching, why get back into coaching?

Coach Smith: As my children have gotten older and become more involved in sports and activities, I have reached a point in my life where I feel comfortable taking on the commitment of coaching again. Soccer has been a significant part of my life since childhood and has helped shape who I am both personally and professionally. While I appreciated the time away to focus on my family, I missed the relationships and sense of community that come with being part of a soccer program. 

RoMo: What type of style can Bulldog Nation expect to see from your team? 

Coach Smith: Formation-wise, I prefer to play a 4-4-2 because it provides a strong balance between defensive organization and attacking opportunities. I think it is important to remember that a team's formation should fit its personnel, so I am willing to adjust based on the strengths, skills, and abilities of our players. 

From a style-of-play standpoint, I find value in a balanced approach that combines possession with quick transitions. I want our team to be comfortable maintaining possession and building attacks when opportunities are available, while also being able to play fast and take advantage of transition moments. Ultimately, I want our players to be organized, competitive, and adaptable, with a focus on individual effort and working hard for one another.

RoMo: What is your immediate focus in the off-season, and then once school starts up? 

Coach Smith: My immediate focus is to get to know the girls and gain a deeper understanding of the needs of the program. One main focus during the offseason is on increasing the number of touches on the ball and improving our players' intention and decision-making in possession. 

During the fall, we will continue to utilize open fields to provide opportunities for players to train and compete together. Once we are able to officially begin practice, our focus will expand beyond individual development to include team organization and game concepts. While we will continue emphasizing technical skills and decision making, we will also work on understanding our team shape, responsibilities, and how we transition between attacking and defending as a unit.