Shannon Smith is the head coach of the Hofstra University women's lacrosse team in Hempstead, New York, and is in her 15th season leading the program. She was named the ninth head coach in program history in July 2012 and, through her first 14 seasons, guided the Pride to 112 victories, the most by any head coach in Hofstra women's lacrosse history.
Under Smith, Hofstra has produced some of its strongest seasons in recent years. In 2026, the Pride won 10 games, finished second in the CAA standings with a 6-1 regular-season conference record, and had seven players earn All-CAA recognition. Smith was named CAA Coach of the Year for the second time, adding to the award she first won in 2015. In 2025, Hofstra won nine games and saw three student-athletes earn postseason honors from the conference, including Nikki Mennella as CAA Attacker of the Year and Kayleigh Bender as CAA Rookie of the Year. Mennella and Christine Dannenfelser were named to the All-CAA First Team, Bender earned CAA All-Rookie Team recognition, and Mennella also received honorable mention All-America honors from Inside Lacrosse and USA Lacrosse Magazine.
