BOCA RATON,Fla. – Taylor Smartt has joined the Florida Atlantic University softball program as an assistant coach, head coach Jordan Clark has announced. Smartt comes to the Owls after spending the last eight seasons as a member of the staff at Troy University.
“Taylor is a rising star in the coaching profession,” Clark said. “The knowledge and passion she brings on both sides of the ball is unmatched. I am so thankful that she chose to become an Owl. We immediately get better on and off the field because of her.”
Smartt recently served Troy as the co-interim head coach during the 2022 season. She was influential in leading the 2021 Troy squad to a 37-17 record and its first NCAA Championship Tournament appearance in 25 years. In that season, Troy’s high-powered offense ended the year fourth in the nation in doubles with 98. Smartt was a key component in the development of Kelly Horne, who broke Troy’s single-season on-base percentage record (.495). Troy put up impressive team statistics on offense of a .289 batting average, 284 runs scored (5.2 per game) and 44 home runs.
“I want to thank Jordan Clark for this opportunity and belief in me to help her achieve the vision she has for this program,” Smartt said. “Following a legendary coach is challenging, but I am confident that Jordan has every attribute necessary to be a successful head coach and build on the incredible legacy Coach Joan Joyce laid for this program. I am truly honored to be joining a program with such rich and profound history for college softball and women’s sports. Joan Joyce broke countless barriers for us women, and it’s an honor in the 50th year of Title IX that I would have the chance to continue empowering and growing young women in that same space.”
Working primarily with the Troy infielders, Smartt’s guidance led Troy to a .980 fielding percentage in 2020 which ranked sixth nationally. Smartt was a key part in the development of the Troy offense that set program single-season home run records in back-to-back years, with 51 long balls in 2015 followed by 62 round-trippers in 2016.
Before transitioning to the Troy coaching staff, Smartt was a four-year member of the Trojans as a student-athlete. She started 191 games and made 204 appearances throughout her career. In her freshman season, Smartt earned NFCA All-Region honors after hitting .277 with eight doubles, a triple, a home run and 17 RBIs.
“The Lord has opened numerous doors and blessed me in so many ways throughout my life, and I’m genuinely grateful to be in Paradise,” Smartt said. “I am looking forward to competing for conference championships and helping our student-athletes achieve their dreams both on and off the field.”
Originally from Troy, Alabama, Smartt graduated from Troy with a degree in sport and fitness management in 2014.
Smartt’s appointment at FAU is pending a standard university background check.
