SMU Athletics

Zak Downes is entering his second season as SMU's assistant coach.  

Downes joined the Mustangs staff as a volunteer assistant prior to the 2022 season.  

Downes came to the Hilltop from UT Dallas. He started with the Comets prior to the 2017 season. While with UT Dallas, he primarily worked with the teams goalkeepers, but helped in all facets of the program. 
  
Downes played professionally, making stops in Major League Soccer (MLC) and the Mongolian first division. After stints with Arizona United, San Antonio FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies, Downs spent two seasons in the MLS, splitting time with the Philadelphia Union and Sporting KC. In his last year as a professional, he played in the first division in Mongolia with Bayangol FC and then spent time in China. While in Asia he set the record for 22 saves in a professional game. Had 14 shutouts in 26 games played and finished with 134 saves. Downes was named best goalkeeper in Mongolia and Asia. 
  
Downes made collegiate stops at NCAA Division II Midwestern State before transferring to NCAA D-I Western Illinois. After injury, he closed out his collegiate career at the University of Tampa, an NCAA D-II program, earning first team all-conference and all-region honors. 
  
He has is USSF B coaching license and all NSCAA goalkeeping 1,2, and 3 licenses.  
  
Downes also worked with U14-20 youth USA national teams boys and girls goalkeepers. He was a part of the U.S. Market training centers and currently works for Solar Development Academy as Goalkeeper Director and Player/Coaching Development. During the summers, he works part-time with the Texas United PDL coaching staff.