Syracuse Women’s Ice Hockey Coach Britni Smith Steps Down to Prioritize Family

Syracuse University announced on April 23, 2026 that Britni Smith is stepping down as head coach of the women’s ice hockey program to spend more time with her family. Smith made the decision not to renew her contract after four seasons leading the Orange.

Smith’s Statement on Her Decision

In her announcement, Smith said, “I have made the difficult decision not to renew my contract as head coach at Syracuse University so I can be closer to home, and family. The young women in our program deserve the full attention and commitment of their coach, and after more than a decade of putting my coaching career first and being away from home, I’ve chosen to prioritize my personal life and time with family.” She added that the decision was made with the program’s best interests in mind, acknowledging she could not fully commit to both roles as they deserve.

Gratitude and Legacy at Syracuse

Smith expressed gratitude for her time at Syracuse, stating, “I’m incredibly grateful to the student-athletes, coaches, staff, and administrators for the opportunity to lead this program over the past four years. It has been a privilege to represent the Block S alongside such amazing people. I will always value the relationships built and the memories made during my time here, and I wish the program continued success and growth in the years ahead.”

Athletic Director’s Response

Director of Athletics John Wildhack praised Smith’s contributions, saying, “Britni has been an outstanding representative of Syracuse Athletics and exemplified what it means to be Orange. Her commitment to developing young women of character and excellence has left a lasting impact on this program. We fully support her decision and wish her nothing but the best. She’ll be forever Orange.”

Coaching Background and Achievements

Smith was appointed head coach in May 2022 and led the Orange to the semifinal round of the Atlantic Hockey America Tournament in each of the last two seasons. In addition to her role at Syracuse, Smith served as an assistant coach for the Canadian National Team, where she helped coach the silver medal-winning squad at the 2026 Olympics. Prior to joining Syracuse, she spent eight seasons as an assistant coach at Clarkson and two seasons at the University of Toronto. Smith played collegiately at St. Lawrence and had four seasons in the CWHL with the Toronto Aeros and Toronto Furies.

What’s Next for the Program

A national search is currently underway for Smith’s replacement as head coach. The program will appear for a candidate who can build upon Smith’s legacy while continuing to develop talent and maintain the balance between athletic and academic success that she emphasized during her tenure.