With a decade of experience in the golf industry, including three years as a college golf coach under his belt, and a background in both business and military leadership, Evan Smith joined the staff of head golf coach Bruce Heppler as an assistant coach in August 2024.
Smith served as the head men’s and women’s golf coach at St. Andrews University in Laurinburg, N.C., in 2018-19, following a two-year stint (2016-18) as an assistant coach at Point University in West Point, Ga., and a two-year term (2016-18) as director of golf at Point University Golf Club.
At Tech, he will be involved in coaching and recruiting, fitness development during competitions, assisting with practice design and setup, supervising technology at Tech’s Noonan Practice Facility, and assisting with fundraising and all other daily compliance and reporting responsibilities.
“Evan brings great energy and experience to the program as a former collegiate player and coach,” head coach Bruce Heppler said. “His experience as a head coach will be very helpful as he assists with all of the day-to-day administrative aspects of the program as well as our fund-raising efforts. His five-year military career will also be of a great benefit as we organize our coaching efforts.”
In between his work in the golf world, Smith joined the U.S. Army in July 2019 and graduated from the Army School of Infantry, earning the role of class first sergeant and overseeing the well-being and training of fellow trainees. Smith attended Ranger Assessment and Selection at Fort Moore in Columbus, Ga., and served as team leader in the 2-1 Infantry Battalion at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state. At JBLM, he was selected as personal security detail and Command Team Aide for the Brigade Commander and Brigade Command Sergeant Major, responsible for reconnaissance and strategic mission planning throughout the Pacific Pathways Operation.
Smith excelled in administrative and diplomatic roles during his time in the Army, including attending Ranger School training, Master Resiliency training, Expert Infantry Badge training, Stryker Leadership Course, and Master Physical Fitness training. He also earned the Army Commendation Medal twice, the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Korean Defense Medal.
The native of Kennesaw, Ga., entered the golf industry soon after graduating from Point University in 2016, serving as director of golf for Point University Golf Club. There, he supervised all golf course and events center operations, developed junior camps and member tournaments, as well as taught private lessons. He also played a key role in fundraising for the university by organizing and managing fundraising golf tournaments and developing the club’s first junior golf program.
From there, Smith moved into coaching as the university’s assistant men’s golf coach for two years, leading the Skyhawks to back-to-back victories at the 2017 and 2018 Appalachian Athletic Conference Championship, and made the program’s first two appearances in the NAIA National Championship. He earned assistant coach of the year awards for both years.
St. Andrews University hired Smith to rebuild its men’s and women’s teams in 2018, and led both teams to impressive showings in the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships.
From there, he entered his Army service, and between transitioning from military service and accepting his current role at Georgia Tech, he returned to Point University as an account manager for the university’s Elevate Program, advancing the employer-sponsored college subscription program.
Smith earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from Point University in May 2016. He played three seasons at Point University and qualified for NJCAA Nationals in 2013 at USC-Lancaster.
Smith currently resides in Marietta, Ga., with his wife, Jessica, and their dog, Hallie. They enjoy spending their free time by playing golf, hiking, and exploring new restaurants throughout the Atlanta area.
