Following five years at the helm of the Lee University Women's Lacrosse team, Derrel Martin has decided to step down as the head coach to pursue other opportunities outside of coaching. In the five years as head coach, Martin led the Lady Flames to a 35-36 record and a 2021 Gulf South Conference regular season championship.
Lee University Athletic Director John Maupin has named Lacrosse Associate Head Coach Megan Smith as the interim coach for the 2024 season.
"I want to thank Coach Martin for his past 5 years of service to Lee Athletics and our Lacrosse program," said Maupin.
"His leadership led us to the 2021 GSC Championship (the first for our Lacrosse program) and that will always be a fond memory. We are wishing Coach Martin all the best as he transitions to his next endeavor."
Smith was hired five years ago as the assistant head coach. Smith has been a vital part in establishing a zone defense for the Lady Flames as well as heading up the recruiting efforts. She was promoted to Associate Head Coach in July of 2023.
"Coach Smith has been an invaluable member of our department the last 5 years, and will make a seamless transition as she takes over interim head coaching duties. I am excited for the season ahead," noted Maupin.
Under Smith's guidance, goalie Kaleigh Bernard was named the GSC Defender of the Year in 2021 as the Lady Flames won the program's first GSC Regular Season Title.
Smith was a standout player for Limestone College from 2011-15. She was a captain her senior year and helped lead the Saints to four straight Conference Carolinas regular-season titles, three league tournament titles, an appearance in the NCAA D2 Quarterfinals (2013 and 2015) and a berth in the national championship match in 2013.
After graduating from Limestone in 2015 she served on staff as an assistant coach working with the goalies while overseeing aspects of recruiting and player development. Smith then took over the Converse College women's lacrosse program for one season before joining the staff of Chowan University as an assistant coach for one year. Megan is also a Committee Chair for the IWLCA Annual Meetings.
Smith also helps lead the Student Athletic Advisory Committee for the Lee University Athletic Department and received the IWLCA Service Award in 2021 for her efforts in raising money and awareness for the One Love Foundation and Headstrong Foundation. Through her leadership the Lady Flames won back to back IWLCA Community Awareness Awards in 2022 and 2023.