PORTLAND, Ore. – Garrett Smith will not return as head coach of the University of Portland women's soccer program, Vice President for Athletics Scott Leykam announced on Tuesday.

"We sincerely thank Garrett for all of his hard work and dedication to the University as a student-athlete, assistant coach and head coach," said Leykam. "He will always be a big part of our program's tradition and everything that has been accomplished at the Clive Charles Soccer Complex and Merlo Field."

Smith, who was also a men's soccer student athlete on The Bluff, served 11 years as an assistant coach to both the men's and women's programs under Clive Charles before transitioning to women's head coach for the last 15 seasons. Smith was an assistant coach during the Pilots' 2002 run to the title and was at the helm during the team's undefeated 2005 championship season. Smith also led the Pilots to NCAA Championship quarterfinal appearances five other times (2004, 2006-09), won seven West Coast Conference Championships and was named WCC Coach of the year on six occasions.

Portland finished the 2017 season with a 5-13-1 overall record and tied for ninth with a 2-7-0 mark in league play to miss postseason play for the fourth consecutive season.

"This decision was a difficult one and was made after lengthy and thoughtful consideration," Leykam said. "We will begin the search for the next head coach immediately and I am confident we will find an outstanding candidate to both continue the great tradition of UP women's soccer and fulfill the missions of the University and Athletic Department."

The University of Portland has a strong and proud women's soccer tradition and is one of just four programs to win multiple NCAA Championships in the sport (2002, 2005). The Pilots have made eight Final Four appearances (1994-96, 1998, 2000-02, 2005) and won 13 WCC Championships. The Pilots led the nation in average attendance for 10 consecutive seasons from 2005 through 2014.