Chris Smith – Athletic Director, ThunderRidge High School
Chris Smith is a long time Grizzly of twenty years who has served in multiple roles at ThunderRidge High School. He has been a part of the Grizzly Family since he was a younger counselor starting in 2005, and has spent his entire educational career at TRHS. With 21 years experience as school counselor, 5 years as an Administrative Dean, 3 years as the Girls Soccer JV Coach, 7 years as Head Coach and Program Director of Boys and Girls Soccer, and most recently, an assistant Girls Varsity Coach, proudly coaching the girls who won the 2023 State Title. He is excited to take the next step in his educational and athletic career, representing ThunderRidge High School as the next Athletic Director and he looks forward to being an even bigger part of the community.
Chris’ amazing wife Kim is also a long time educator and a former Grizzly herself. He is so proud of his family and will forever believe in the mantra of “Family First.” His two daughters have been a part of the TRHS family since they were babies, with their oldest graduating from ThunderRidge in 2026 and their youngest will in 2029.
Outside of TRHS, Chris has coached soccer at the club level for 25+ years, with multiple state titles from Colorado United Soccer Club and has been the Recruiting Specialist and Secondary Program Director for the past 10 years. Chris loves animals and his family has their own homegrown “zoo” at home, housing multiple dogs, cats, chinchillas, hamsters, mice, turtles, snakes, chameleons, lizards, frogs, and a variety of fish. He also loves music, theatre, movies, and spending time hiking and enjoying the outdoors with his family. Chris is a seventh generation Colorado Native, graduating from John F. Kennedy High School in Denver, University of Colorado for his Bachelor’s Degree, a Masters Degree in School Counseling from the University of Phoenix, and a Principal License in Educational Leadership form Lamar University. Chris is looking forward to the upcoming school year and supporting the athletes at ThunderRidge!