Dennis Smith joined the Thunder in 2010. He will work with pitchers and catchers. He spent the past 10 years in the same position at NCAA Division I, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne.

Under Smith, Trine pitchers won four consecutive MIAA Pitcher of the Year honors. Smith coached Andi Gasco to back-to-back conference pitcher of the year honors in 2012-13 as well as an All-American selection in 2013. Bree Fuller (2014) and Justine Robles (2015) continued the streak of conference pitching MVPs under Smith's guidance. Smith has coached 10 all-conference performers since 2010, including nine first-team appearances.

In 2017, Smith coached Danielle Ray to finalist honors for the Schutt Sports/NFCA Division III National Player of the honor. She was one of the final 25 players in the running for the award. Smith's work proved instrumental in the Thunder reaching the NCAA Division III Softball Championship with a pitching staff composed entirely of underclassmen.

Coach Smith was an assistant coach for IPFW during its transition period from Division II to Division I. In 2009, his pitching staff had an accumulated ERA of 2.63. The 2008 squad played in the conference championship game. Smith was also responsible for recruiting his pitchers on a national and international level.

As a player, Smith played fast-pitch in Iowa from 1980-1998, including a number of state and regional tournaments in that span.

Coach Smith is also employed at Courier Kendallville.