Lindenwood Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Brad Wachler has announced the promotion of Dallas Smith as head coach of the Lindenwood wrestling program.
 
"I feel honored to have the opportunity to lead such a storied program," said Smith.  "I plan to pick up where coach Rollins left off, and I feel confident this team will continue to chase our key goals."
 
"We are very fortunate to have a coach of the caliber of Dallas Smith already here at Lindenwood, and the decision to elevate him to the role of head coach was an easy one to make," said Wachler.  "Dallas has been an integral part of transforming our wrestling program into a national powerhouse and I am certain he will lead this program to continued success on and off the mat."
 
Smith is entering his sixth season in 2021-22 as a member of the Lindenwood wrestling staff.  A native of Neosho, Mo., Smith has been a key part to the recent success of Lindenwood wrestling, after joining the staff as a graduate assistant in the spring of 2016.  Since then, Smith has helped coach three NCAA Division II National Champions (Terrel Wilbourn, Carlos Jacquez, and Abner Romero).
 
In 2020-21, the Lions won their first GLVC Championship, and their first conference title since 2015.  Lindenwood went on to take second place at the NCAA Regional, before finishing third and the NCAA Division II National Championships in St. Louis, Mo.  During his time with the Lions, Smith has helped Lindenwood to three-top three finishes at the regional tournament, and two-top-10 finishes at the national tournament.  In all, Smith has helped coach 15 All-Americans out of 27 NCAA National Championship Qualifiers since arriving at Lindenwood.
 
Smith was a four-time All-American during his time wrestling for Ouachita Baptist.  As a senior, Smith won the 2015 NCAA Division II National Championship at 184 pounds, after taking third place as a junior, and second place as a sophomore.  Smith graduated for Ouachita Baptist with a bachelor's degree in pre-professional kinesiology.  In 2018, Smith earned his MAT from Lindenwood University.  Smith will take charge of the program after Jimmy Rollins stepped down in late September.