Winthrop Soccer Camps - Staff

Spencer Smith, Head Women's Soccer Coach

Spencer Smith is entering his seventh year as Head Coach of the Winthrop Women’s Soccer team. He came to WU after coaching at Radford University, North Carolina Wesleyan College and Lincoln Memorial University on the men’s side.

Since joining the Eagles in 2010, Smith has helped guide Winthrop to two Regular Season titles (2010, 2011) and a tournament runner-up in 2012. During his six years the Lady Eagles have compiled 56 wins which is most in program history and Smith has won 31 conference games, also most by any coach in the programs history.

Under Smith’s guidance the Lady Eagles have had 3 Big South Conference “Attacking Players of the Year”, 1 “Freshman of the Year”, and 11 All-Conference players.

Since arriving in Rock Hill in 2010, Smith has coached at Discoveries Soccer Club both on the girls and boys side. His u-17 girls team appeared in the South Carolina State Cup Semi-Final and eventually earned a spot into USYSA Region III.

Smith, who holds a NSCAA Premier diploma, is married to wife Julie. They have three children; Alyssa, Landon, and Merric.

Daniel Ridenhour, Head Men's Soccer Coach

Daniel Ridenhour was named head men's soccer coach on Dec. 17, 2015 after completing his 12th season on the coaching staff, including the past seven years as the associate head coach.  He came to Winthrop after spending three seasons at Georgia State as an assistant coach. Ridenhour succeeds Rich Posipanko, who retired after 27 years at the Winthrop helm.

During his time with the Eagles, Ridenhour has helped the program capture five Big South Conference championships and five trips to the NCAA College Cup. The Eagles have amassed 141 wins since Ridenhour’s arrival in 2003.

While at Georgia State he worked as an assistant coach for the Georgia Boys Olympic Development Program. His 87 Georgia ODP State team won the 2004 ODP Region Championship and went to National Championship in 2005.

Ridenhour played his college soccer at Old Dominion University. He was a four-year letterman and a team captain in 2000. He graduated from ODU with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management and a minor in Business Management.

Currently, Ridenhour coaches the Discoveries Soccer Club u-16 Green team. Prior to DSC, he coached at Charlotte United for 4 years. He has been a mainstay in the local club system for the past 12 years. Ridenhour holds a USSF “A” license.

He is married to wife Emily and resides in Rock Hill, SC with their two daughters, Phoebe and Winnie Alewine, and sons Paco Roo and Captain.