Coach Smith enters his first season assisting the RiverHawk Cross Country team after coaching the distance runners last track season. Lyndal competed at Douglas High School where he earned All-State honors in both cross country and track and field. Smith then moved onto Umpqua Community College where he excelled at the college ranks as well. As a former standout Alum at UCC, Smith still owns school records in cross country as well as the 1500m, 5k, 10k, and 3k Steeple Chase on the track. In his two years at UCC, Lyndal also qualified for NJCAA nationals four times (twice in cross country and twice in track and field).

After Umpqua Community College, Smith continued his athletic career at George Fox. At one point, Lyndal was ranked top ten in school history for the 3k steeple, 5k and 10k. Lyndal qualified for nationals in cross country and track and field while at George Fox, with his highest placing of 10th in the 5k at nationals.

Lyndal continued to compete on the road circuit competing for both Brooks and Saucony national racing teams while also representing Oregon Track Club. In the fall of 2024, retired from a 30 year corporate career for Adidas then Nike. "We are very excited to have Coach Smith on staff here," said Coach King, "he has a wealth of knowledge and experience that he is excited to share with the athletes." Welcome back home Lyndal! 

"I'm looking forward to giving back to UCC, the student athletes, and the community."