COACHING STAFF

Head Coach Brienne Smith

Smith will enter her seventh season at the helm for the Cougars in the fall of 2020-21, leading the program turnaround since coming back to her alma mater in 2014. 

After winning just 4 games in her first two seasons the Cougars have combined for 18 wins in the last two seasons and qualified for the NEWMAC Championship Tournament in 2017.  This past fall of 2018, Macy Golman, a member of Smith’s first recruiting class, was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region third team.  She becomes the first Clark player to earn this recognition since 2005.  

Prior to arrival at Clark, Smith spent four years as the head women's coach at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pa. where she guided the Greyhounds to four straight Landmark Conference tournament appearances, including a berth in the championship game in 2012. During that 2012 season, Smith was named Landmark Coach of the Year, while two of her student-athletes garnered the league's offensive and defensive player of the year awards, respectively. Her program saw eight student-athletes earn a combined 13 all-conference citations during her tenure, including six first-team selections.

Prior to Moravian, Smith spent nine years as an assistant coach at Tufts University. During her time with the Jumbos, Smith helped lead them to three NCAA Tournament berths, including a trip to the Final Four in 2005 and more than 80 victories.

Smith was a four-year letter winner with the Cougars appearing in 68 of 76 games from 1997-00. She was part of the 1998 team that won a school-record 17 games and garnered the school's lone NCAA Tournament bid. A 2001 Clark University graduate with a degree in psychology and a minor in education, Smith also holds a master's degree in physical education from Bridgewater State and an Advanced National Diploma from the United Soccer Coaches. 

Head Coach Megan O'Rourke

Former all-New England honoree, Megan O’Rourke, returns to her alma mater for a 3rd season. O'Rourke coached with the Cougars during the 2014 and 2015 campaings.  She left for a brief stint at Mount Ida College in 2016 and 2017. 

During her 69 career games – 66 of them starts – O’Rourke was a two-time second-team all-conference selection and earned all-region accolades as a senior in 2010.  She spent two seasons as a captain, leading the Cougars to the postseason on three occasions, including a berth in the NEWMAC Tournament Semifinals as a sophomore in 2008.

In addition to her collegiate coaching experience, O’Rourke has spent extensive time coaching at the youth level, working with Girls-U11 with the Bruno United Football Club, Girls-U15 with the Nor’easter Soccer Club and with the Girls-U14 with the Sachems Football Club. She holds a United Soccer Coaches National Deploma. 

A 2011 Clark University graduate with a degree in psychology, O’Rourke received her master’s degree in social work from Rhode Island College in 2013. She is currently a School Adjustment Counselor for the Worcester Public Schools, and is also a cerified yoga instructor.