University of Tennessee Athletics
Staff Directory
- Title:
- Director of Applied Performance Science - Olympic Sports
- Email:
Dr. Austin Smith is entering his second year as an Olympic Sport Performance Assistant with Tennessee Athletics in 2022-23. He is responsible for overseeing strength and conditioning training for the women’s golf program and also assists with Sports Science initiatives for the Olympic Sports Performance department.
From December 2021 until the end of the 2021-22 academic year, Smith served as Tennessee's interim Director of Baseball Sports Performance. During that stint, the Volunteers authored a record-breaking season, breaking multiple program records while ranking No. 1 unanimously in college baseball for a majority of the season. For the season, the Vols ranked in the top 10 nationally in doubles (third, 156), ERA (first, 2.51), hits (sixth, 704), home runs (first, 158), runs scored (first, 613), shutouts (second, 9), WHIP (first, 1.00) and strikeouts (third, 695).
Tennessee baseball in 2022 posted the best record in program history (57-9), while also posting the second-best conference mark in SEC history (25-5). With Smith coordinating high-performance training, the Vols won the SEC Tournament for the first time since 1995. Tennessee also enjoyed a record-breaking MLB Draft, with 10 Vols selected in July of 2022.
Before joining the staff at Tennessee, Smith spent two years as a strength and conditioning coach with the Chicago Cubs organization, working with both the major league team and its Low-A affiliate, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. During his season with the Pelicans, one of the athletes he programmed for was named the 2021 Cubs Organizational Pitcher of the Year.
Smith spent six months working as a performance coach and push coach with the USA Bobsled and Skeleton Federation before his time with the Cubs organization. He spent most of his time working with the developmental/rookie athletes and athletes that competed on the North American Cup.
While completing his doctorate, Smith served as the head strength and conditioning coach for the Milligan University (Tenn.) track & field program while also holding the position of assistant coach responsible for the throwers. Smith developed a three-time All-American female thrower who also broke multiple school records for the hammer, shot put, discus and indoor weight throw. Smith also served as an assistant coach and researcher through the Olympic Training Site located at ETSU.
Smith received his undergraduate and master’s degrees in Exercise Science from Liberty University and a Ph.D. in Sport Performance and Physiology from ETSU. He also holds a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification through the NSCA.
Smith and his wife, Kristen, reside in Knoxville with their dog, Maya.
