Family:
Wife – Erica
Children – daughters Peytan and Reagan, son Logan
Head Coaching Career:
• University of Toledo (2009-present)
- 2013 Mid-American Conference West Division Champion
• Virginia Tech (2000-05)
- 2002 Big East Conference Coach of the Year
This story appears in FCA Magazine’s September/October 2014 issue. Subscribe today!
“But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the proclamation might be fully made through me …” – 2 Timothy 4:17
Heading into his sixth season as the University of Toledo head women’s volleyball coach, Greg Smith’s aim is to influence his athletes far beyond the court. The Rochester, Indiana, native’s faith in Christ has been refined through major health setbacks and leaning on God for strength and perseverance through every trial he’s faced.
FCA: What led you to the sport of volleyball?
GS: Growing up in Indiana, basketball was my sport, but I went to Westmont College in California to play tennis. My first exposure to volleyball was on the beach. I took a class to understand the indoor side of the game and began teaching and coaching back at my hometown high school. I learned from great coaches. I coached camps, made connections and worked my way up to be at Toledo today.
I absolutely love the sport. I love coaching, being with the athletes, and having a great opportunity to mentor them.
FCA: What’s been one of the most impactful experiences you’ve had at Toledo?
GS: Each year creates its own special events. You look back and go, “Wow, we got through that,” or, “That was a testing of our patience.” It’s easy to remember the championship you won, but what’s more gratifying is what you went through to get there.
In 2012 our goal was to win our conference. We had probably one of the worst years we’ve ever had. Through that you learn what you did wrong and need to do better. The following year was completely different. We were expected to finish last in the conference and ended up winning our division, which was a huge step and part of the process.
FCA: How have you been involved with FCA?
GS: My dad was a high school teacher and basketball coach in Indiana. He started a Huddle, and from then on FCA was always a part of our lives. It had a huge impact on our family. Every summer we knew we were going to some part of the country for a national conference, which was awesome. Those will always be fond memories of FCA, knowing those years had a huge impact on my life, a huge part of who I am today.
FCA: How have you seen God working in your life?
GS: The biggest thing is knowing God is the same now as He was and ever will be. He’s always going to be there for us. There will be times when we question why things are happening in our lives, but that’s life. What we choose to do with those situations reflects who we are as followers of Christ. We all have issues come up. In my case, they’ve been health—cancer and two open heart surgeries. Without God’s strength through those time periods, I don’t think I would’ve been able to be where I am right now.
FCA: What has your relationship with Jesus Christ meant for you?
GS: Knowing that He is my Lord and Savior is huge. But also understanding it’s His will in my life, and things happen for a reason. Because of Christ I hopefully respond to my situations—whether it’s coaching, being a husband, being a father, going through cancer or heart surgery—in a way people can see God through me because of all that.
FCA Staff Quote:
“Greg is a very calm presence in the locker room and on the court. His faith in Jesus is at the core of who he is. He is a strong Christian and desires to follow God wholeheartedly. Everyone who knows Greg experiences how he clearly lives out his walk with Christ.”
-Matt Yeager, Campus Director, Greater Toledo FCA
Photos courtesy of the University of Toledo
--This article appears in the September/October 2014 issue of FCA Magazine. To view the issue in its entirety digitally, click here: Sept/Oct 2014 Digital
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