Local Teacher, Coach and Author Continues to Inspire

Growing up, everyone can remember a favorite teacher or coach.

Maybe it was someone who saw your potential when others didn’t; maybe it was someone who pushed your limits so you could achieve greatness; or maybe it was someone who simply encouraged your dreams.

There is no doubt that for many local students and athletes, soccer coach Troy Smith is this inspiring influence to them.

Finding his passion for soccer at the early age of 5, Smith continued to play throughout his high school career at Brandon High School and on various club teams. During college at the University of South Florida, he began coaching travel teams.

“I loved being around the game,” Smith said.

After college, Smith became a goalkeeper trainer and a team trainer at Valrico Soccer Club. In 2004, he was given the opportunity to coach the boys’ soccer team at and, two years ago, started his stint at Bloomingdale High as head soccer coach. 

“Soccer is something I am passionate about and value the opportunity to coach at the high school level,” Smith said. “I love the competitiveness of the sport. I also love how there are many tactics and strategies involved in a game. It is a very fast-paced sport, and I like how the momentum of the game can shift from one team to another throughout the entire game."

Comparing his coaching style to that of Tony Dungy — former NFL head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996-2001 and the Indianapolis Colts from 2002-08 — Smith admits that he remains patient and at an even keel while on the sidelines. 

“I feel that talking to players is much more effective than screaming at them,” Smith said.

While winning many tournaments and championships is certainly something to be proud of, Smith admits that his greatest achievement as a coach is centered on his players.

“I think the greatest achievement as a coach is making each individual player a better player than before I met them,” Smith said. “Watching the players become a success is what truly motivates me as a coach.”

While coaching soccer offers Smith a way to have an impact on the community, he was looking for other opportunities to reach out to youth.

“Writing a book was a great means of reaching out to students and families in hopes they might be inspired to strive to make a positive difference on their own,” said Smith, who added that he was able to write the book quickly because he used real-life experiences.

The result is Smith’s first published book, the 94-page Creating a Ripple, which can be purchased online from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million.

The book is about two boys named Drew and Tim who attract a lot of attention, but it's for all the wrong reasons. They are only in the fifth grade yet have made a shocking number of enemies. However, they have a principal and teacher who desire to see them become successes. Through a class project, they are challenged to find a way to impact their community for the better.

After two weeks of service projects, Drew and Tim realize the impact that they can have in their community. They learn it's not about the work they do, but the fact that they are willing to do it. With this attitude, they find one of life's greatest rewards.

Smith continues to look for ways to be a positive role model and influence the community. He enjoys teaching fourth grade at Elementary and, in his spare time, he spends time with his fiancée and family, working with students in ministry, preaching at church and anything that keeps him active. He is currently working on a second book and is excited to get married next March.