ITHACA, N.Y. – Matt Smith, who has served as the assistant coach of the Cornell men's heavyweight rowing team for the past three seasons, has been promoted to Associate Head Coach, as was announced today by Andy Noel, the Meakem•Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education.

“It is a great honor and privilege to be named the Associate Head Coach of the Cornell heavyweight men's rowing team,” said Smith. “I'm very grateful to Andy Noel and head coach Todd Kennett for this opportunity to further my career, while continuing to be part of the Cornell rowing family. I'm excited to work with Coach Kennett to take on a bigger role in developing the current and future Big Red rowers and helping Cornell win a national championship.”

“Matt not only has had a positive impact on the freshmen and varsity, but on the entire boathouse,” said Kennett, the Spirit of '57 Director of Rowing/Head Coach of Heavyweight Rowing. “The example he gives today's athletes is nothing less than spectacular. After working with him for three years I understand why he is a decorated war veteran. I can understand why athletes follow him. Matt is understanding, yet very demanding, but nothing he asks of his rowers is beyond what he is willing to do himself. He genuinely cares about who he is coaching and what he is teaching. Plus, he is a multi-time medal winner to boot. So he knows how to win.”

In his three seasons, Smith has led the Big Red rookies to some of its best campaigns in recent history. His First Freshmen 8 boats have posted a combined record of 22-6 while earning two Eastern Sprints medals and two Grand Final appearances at the IRAs. Additionally, the Second Freshman 8 won the gold medal at the 2010 Eastern Sprints.

A former U.S. Olympian, Smith has brought to Cornell a unique background with 16 years of rowing experience and eight years of leadership as an officer in the U.S. Army. A seven-time member of the U.S national rowing team, Smith has won medals at the Pan-American Games, World Championships, and National Championships, while also representing the U.S. in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.

During his time in the military, Smith was promoted twice, eventually earning the rank of Captain, and was awarded the Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medals for exceptional duty in combat and peacetime operations. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School and Airborne School.

Smith received his undergraduate degree from Wisconsin in 2000 where he rowed four years for the Badgers. He spent two years with the first varsity-8, serving as team captain in his senior season. An Eastern Sprints and IRA medalist, Smith was also a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection.

Smith is married to Hilary Gehman, the Staley Head Coach of Women's Rowing at Cornell University.