Legendary Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Doug Smith Set to Retire After 28 Years at Juniata

HUNTINGTON, Pa. – After 28 years of leading the Strength and Conditioning program at Juniata College, Coach Douglas Smith is stepping down and retiring. As a recipient of many certifications and awards, Coach Smith is one of the most respected Strength and Conditioning coaches in the country. Smith was the National Strength and Conditioning Association's (NSCA) Coach of the Year in 2015, Samson Equipment Division III Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year in 2009, and the Pennsylvania State Director from 2002 to 2006.

Smith started his strength and conditioning career along with his football coaching career in 1984 at Sissonville High School in West Virginia. After two seasons, he accepted the same position at West Virginia State University until 1985. Smith then joined the U.S. Navy in 1986 and spent two years in the service of his Country.

His coaching career resurfaced at Juniata College in 1990. He joined the football staff as a recruiter, assistant defensive line coach, and strength and conditioning coordinator until 1993. Smith then moved to Lock Haven University as the football assistant coach and strength and conditioning coordinator until 1995.

In 1997, Smith returned to Huntingdon for good as the full-time Strength and Conditioning coach for the Juniata Eagles. He has raised Juniata athletics to a different level ever since.

"What made him truly amazing was every challenge he put in front of a team made the team stronger than the day before.  I gained an idol, a leader, and a good friend, and I am so thankful for that. He is a man of few words… but nothing better to describe him other than tough. We will miss him dearly," said fifth-year volleyball senior Victoria Taylor.

Smith has coached 80 All-Americans and 26 Hall of Fame Members. Teams have made 101 tournament and championship appearances under his supervision in the weight room.

Head women's volleyball coach and former Juniata student-athlete Heather Pavlik '95 speaks of her experience with Coach Smith, "Doug has always been a no-nonsense kind of coach but with a great sense of humor and a deep sense of caring for the athletes.  This combination has always made him really special in my eyes.  He has never been afraid to push athletes to their limits and tell them when they need to work harder, but they receive it well because he has always gone the extra mile for them and for me!  These kinds of lessons go so far beyond the weight room, and the evidence is how many athletes come back to see him regularly with themselves and with their families!"

Smith has also spread his knowledge to other organizations such as the Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, University of Richmond, Slippery Rock University, Penn State Volleyball, and Penn State Football.

"I would come in contact with everyone on campus and rely on faculty and staff. That is what made my time at Juniata so special. No one has ever been anything but nice, and you don't get that at a lot of other places," Smith said.

Smith established, organized, and directed the Juniata College Annual Strength and Conditioning Conference in 2000. The conference is held every year and grew to be one of the best-attended conferences on the East Coast. Smith was able to recruit 216 prestigious speakers and participants from all over the country for a weekend in Huntingdon to participate in the conference.

"We have people come in on a Thursday night, and they are there until Sunday. It is almost like a family reunion every year for a very professional and educational clinic geared to research, performance, injury prevention, rehabilitation, program designs, and I could go on," Smith said.

Coach Smith did everything to accelerate all 24 Juniata Athletic programs and their athletes to a new competitive level during his time here. Through all of the awards, All-Americans, and Hall of Famers, Coach Doug Smith has nothing but gratitude toward Juniata as his time here comes to an end.

"I'm very, very lucky to have been able to work here. Everyone has worked well with me while I have been here. To the past and current student-athletes, thank you," said Smith while he was at a loss for words, "All I can say is thank you."

Fifth-year senior Keith Caputo speaks on behalf of the football team, "I would like to thank you, Coach Smith, for your unwavering dedication. Not only have you made every person who walked through your doors a better player on the field, but you have also made all of us better people off the field. You pushed the team every day to be the best that we could be. The atmosphere and energy at our six a.m. grind workouts will not be the same without you. Thank you for everything you have done for us."

Smith would like to thank current Athletic Director Greg Curley for all the support he has received and especially thank the previous AD, Larry Bock, for bringing him to Juniata and hiring him. Smith is deeply thankful to Sam and Martha Brumbaugh for providing the amazing workout facility that he has called home the past 28 years. Lastly, he would also like to thank his wife Donna, daughter Lauren, and son Chance for their unwavering love and support throughout his career.

The Athletics Department will be honoring Coach Smith at half-time of the football season opener vs. Grove City this Saturday, September 4. The kick-off is set for 1:00 pm. Join us at Knox Stadium or tune in online.