Drake men's soccer head coach Gareth Smith has resigned from his position, Drake Athletics announced Monday Nov. 22.

Smith joined Drake in 2009 as a volunteer assistant before becoming the top assistant coach for the Bulldogs from 2011-14. He served as interim head coach in 2015 before being promoted to head coach prior to the team's 2015 regular-season finale. 

Smith said, "It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve as the head coach of men's soccer over the past six years. I would like to thank everyone that I have had the opportunity to meet and work alongside during my time at Drake. I wish the players and the program the best of success in this new chapter ahead."

In his first season as head coach in 2015, Smith led Drake to a 13-5-3 record and the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament title. The Bulldogs defeated Kentucky, 2-1, in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, marking the third NCAA Tournament victory in school history.

"We are grateful for the passion and leadership Coach Smith exhibited in his time with our men's soccer program," Drake Director of Athletics Brian Hardin said. "Gareth is a wonderful person and we wish him all the best moving forward."

Assistant coach Kyle Smith will serve as interim head coach while the search for the next leader of the men's soccer program occurs. Hardin and senior associate athletics director/senior woman administrator Megan Franklin will conduct a national search for the next head coach.