Smith has been credited with establishing a running dynasty at Northern Arizona. His coaching philosophy involves emphasizing "executing a great team race" at championships rather than focusing on the final outcome.[4][5]
After initially competing for James Madison University, Smith completed his collegiate running career at Georgetown University.[7] After college, he worked as an elementary school teacher for two years and earned a master's degree. He did not compete during this time period.[6] In 2006, he moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, where he worked under Dr. Jack Daniels at the NAU Center for High Altitude Training and founded Team Run Flagstaff.[8] During this time period, Smith competed in trail and road running and qualified for and competed in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials in the marathon.[6]
Smith returned to Georgetown as a coach in 2012. He rose through the ranks to eventually become the Director of Cross Country and Track and Field during the 2015–2016 academic year.[9]
As director of Northern Arizona cross country and track
Smith joined the NAU cross country coaching staff in fall 2016 in anticipation of the retirement of the current head coach, Eric Heins.[10] That season, the men's team built off of fourth, second, and fourth place team finishes in the three preceding years to win the 2016 NCAA men's NCAA Division I title. Mike Smith officially became the Northern Arizona University's Director of Cross Country and Track in 2017.
In 2024, it was announced that the 2024-2025 academic year would be Smith's last as Director; he would leave NAU to lead a Nike-sponsored professional running team based in Flagstaff.[11]
Men's NCAA DI cross country championship team results
Under Smith, four male athletes have won indoor and NCAA Division I titles: Andy Trouard in the 3000 m in 2018, George Beamish in the mile in 2019,[21]Abdihamid Nur in the 3000m and 5000m in 2022,[22] and Nico Young in the 3000 m and 5000 m in 2024.[23] As of the conclusion of the outdoor NCAA season in 2023, Smith has yet to win an NCAA outdoor title.
Smith was born in 1980 and was raised in Princeton, Massachusetts.[37][6][1] Smith is married to professional runner Rachel Schneider (now Rachel Smith).[38] They initially met at Georgetown University, where Smith coached Schneider. Both relocated to Flagstaff, AZ, and, while Smith continued to coach Schneider, the pair began dating. The couple has one child, Nova, born in 2023.[39]
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(2025–present) [26] 
(2017–present) [27] 
(2016-2018)