Dean Smith - Charlotte FC's new head coach - has connections to the Carolinas that reach beyond the mere association with his name.
This connection extends through his son, Jamie Smith, who has immersed himself in both North and South Carolina. Jamie's journey began when he relocated to the United States to pursue his soccer career, starting at Limestone University in South Carolina and later transferring to play for NC State. Currently, he plies his trade professionally with USL League One side Greenville Triumph SC, a team that Charlotte FC crossed paths with during their U.S. Open Cup debut in 2022.
“We’ve been coming to the Carolinas over the last six years," Dean Smith shared as he reflected on his Carolina experiences. "My son moved over here to study six years ago... During the summers, he was playing through Asheville City [in the NPSL], so we are well-traveled, but now he’s playing pro soccer.”
Frequent visits to the Carolinas prompted Smith and his wife to address their accommodation needs. Acknowledging the importance of a home away from home, they decided to invest in a vacation home in Myrtle Beach only a few years ago.
"We are well-versed in the Carolinas," Smith said. "And we really look forward to being here.”
In a beautiful twist of fate, the Carolinas have evolved into a cherished haven for the Smith family. Now, Dean Smith stands at the helm, steering the ship of the MLS franchise in the region, marking the beginning of the next chapter for the Club and Smith’s coaching career.
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