David Silversmith has been ULM cross country coach and assistant track coach since February 2020.
During the 2022 track and field season, he coached Kimone Campbell to a new personal best and school record in the 800 meters in 2:08.98. She also set the school indoor record to place fourth at the SBC Championship in 2:11.67. Campbell also teamed with Eliana Battle, Brittney Roberson and Amanda Radava to set the school record in the distance medley relay at 12:13.06 to place fifth at the SBC Indoor Championship. The women’s indoor track and field team was ranked as high as No. 10 in the South Central Region by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association on Jan. 26.
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In the 2021 cross country season, Silversmith coached Benadine Chelimo and Sharon Jerono to All-Sun Belt Conference performances while the women’s team finished fourth at the SBC Championship for its best showing since joining the conference prior to the 2006 season. Chelimo was Second-Team All-SBC after placing 10th in the 5K race in 17:55.9, while Jerono was right behind Chelimo for Third-Team honors, placing 12th in 18:12.9.
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The Warhawk women’s cross country team also cracked the USTFCCCA regional rankings for the first time in program history, coming in at No. 14 in the South Central Region on Sept. 21.
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Off the track, both the ULM men’s and women’s teams earned All-Academic Team recognition by the USTFCCCA. The women’s team had a 3.07 team grade-point average, while the men posted a 3.46 GPA.
Silversmith came to ULM after spending two and a half seasons at UNC Greensboro, where he was the cross country coach and assistant track coach. He helped the Spartans to a third place finish at the Southern Conference women's cross country championships in 2019, while the men finished in fifth place.
Prior to UNCG, Silversmith was the head cross country coach at William Peace University in Raleigh, North Carolina for one season. Silversmith was in charge of managing the program budget, coordinating travel for practices and competition, monitored the academic progress of his student-athletes as well as recruiting.
Before going to William Peace, Silversmith served as volunteer assistant coach for cross country and track and field at North Carolina in 2015-16. Silversmith worked with head coach Mark VanAlstyne and the director of operations in administrative areas, including the budget, scheduling and equipment management. He also assisted in recruiting activities for distance and throws, while providing daily instruction of fundamental middle and long distance running technique and strategy.
While Silversmith was on staff at UNC, four different runners received All-ACC cross country honors. Six different runners picked up All-Region honors in cross country. During the 2015-16 season, Silversmith assisted Stephen Mulherin to a top five finish in the All-ACC 10,000 meters, and Carolina Alcorta placed third in the All-ACC 1,500 meters. The Tar Heels earned three top-five finishes as a team, including third place in the NCAA Southeast Regional.
Silversmith also served as a camp counselor around the Chapel Hill, North Carolina, area for several years, working with the Carolina Distance Camp and Tar Heel Track and Field Camp.
Silversmith ran track and was an All-American cross country athlete at Ferris State in Big Rapids, Michigan. He earned his bachelor's degree from the school in 2013. He received his master's degree in 2016 from Michigan State.
