Holly Smith Hired to Track & Field/Cross Country Coaching Staff
September 03, 2026 | Cross Country, Track & Field
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of Louisville Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Joe Franklin has announced the addition of Holly Smith as an assistant coach to the Cardinals' staff, who will work specifically with distance.
Most recently, Smith spent the past two years competing as a graduate student with the Northwestern University cross country and track & field teams. Prior to her time in Evanston, Ill., Smith spent four years running for Iona University.
"Holly is the perfect addition for us to round out our coaching staff," said Franklin. "She will be incredibly valuable in both the recruitment and development of our student-athletes, and we are excited that she has chosen to get her coaching career started here in Louisville."
In her two seasons running for Northwestern, Smith scored in 10 of her 12 cross country appearances and was named a 2025 United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Midwest Region honoree.
During her time at Iona, the Cheshire, England native collected multiple Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference awards. She is a three-time All-MAAC honoree (2020, 2021, 2023) and was named MAAC Cross Country Rookie of the Year in 2020. She also received USTFCCCA All-Northeast Region honors in 2023.
"I'm incredibly excited and honored to join the University of Louisville and be part of a program committed to athletic excellence," said Smith. "I can't wait to get to work alongside such a great coaching staff and contribute to our shared vision of success."
Smith recently graduated from Northwestern University with a master's degree in organizational leadership in December 2025. She also holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from Iona University, where she graduated in May 2023. She was named to the MAAC All-Academic Team for three consecutive years from 2021 to 2023.
Most recently, Smith spent the past two years competing as a graduate student with the Northwestern University cross country and track & field teams. Prior to her time in Evanston, Ill., Smith spent four years running for Iona University.
"Holly is the perfect addition for us to round out our coaching staff," said Franklin. "She will be incredibly valuable in both the recruitment and development of our student-athletes, and we are excited that she has chosen to get her coaching career started here in Louisville."
In her two seasons running for Northwestern, Smith scored in 10 of her 12 cross country appearances and was named a 2025 United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Midwest Region honoree.
During her time at Iona, the Cheshire, England native collected multiple Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference awards. She is a three-time All-MAAC honoree (2020, 2021, 2023) and was named MAAC Cross Country Rookie of the Year in 2020. She also received USTFCCCA All-Northeast Region honors in 2023.
"I'm incredibly excited and honored to join the University of Louisville and be part of a program committed to athletic excellence," said Smith. "I can't wait to get to work alongside such a great coaching staff and contribute to our shared vision of success."
Smith recently graduated from Northwestern University with a master's degree in organizational leadership in December 2025. She also holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from Iona University, where she graduated in May 2023. She was named to the MAAC All-Academic Team for three consecutive years from 2021 to 2023.
Tuesday, August 13
Monday, February 26
Wednesday, October 30
Thursday, August 09
