Meagan Smith

Coach Meagan Smith began her career as the Head Coach of the Lady Royals Softball program during the 2020 season. What looked to be a historic season for Coach Smith and the Lady Royals was cut short due to the COVID-19 outbreak. She led the 2020 team to the top of The Sun Conference with a 19-3 overall record and a 4-0 TSC record – with wins against NAIA-ranked teams: #5 Georgia Gwinnett College, #13 Campbellsville University, #15 Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.), and RV University of the Cumberlands. The Lady Royals were not ranked in the preseason poll; however, with Coach Smith’s guidance, she led her team to a #25 ranking in the first NAIA DI national poll. The shortened season halted the Lady Royals’ 11-game winning streak.

Since taking over the program in the Spring of 2020, Coach Smith has worked diligently at building a Christ-centered championship program. She has coached several Sun Conference and NCCAA All-Academic Players. Coach Smith has produced four 1st Team All-Sun Conference and Two 2nd Team All-Conference players. She has also coached two NCCAA 1st Team All-South Regional players, two NCCAA 2nd Team All-South Regional players, and one 1st Team NCCAA All-American. Following the 2023 season, Coach Smith earned the NCCAA South Regional Coach of the Year. 

As Assistant Coach, Coach Smith began coaching with the Lady Royals softball program in 2015.  Smith, an alumnus of Warner University, spent part of her playing career as a Royal from 2005-2007. Smith received recognition from Warner University, The Sun Conference, and the NAIA. In 2007, Smith was named MVP as a senior for the Royals. She was selected as an outstanding TSC All-Conference outfielder and named to the NAIA 2007 All-Region softball team. Before her time as a Royal, Smith played two seasons as a part of the Lady Eagles at Polk Community College.

Before joining the Royals coaching staff in 2015, Coach Smith spent time as head coach for the Lady Dreadnaughts at Lakeland High School and served as the assistant varsity coach for the Lady Bulldogs of Frostproof High School for five seasons.

Originally from Wauchula, Fla., Smith was a 2003 Hardee Senior High School graduate. She received her Associate of Arts degree from Polk State College in 2005. Continuing her education, Smith obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education K-12 from Warner University in 2008.  She received a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the American College of Education in 2011.  She taught Physical Education with the Polk County School Board for 12 years. 

Coach Smith resides in Winter Haven, FL, with her two miniature dachshunds, Jasper and Tux. She is a member of Grace Pointe Church in Winter Haven.