Who is Austen Smith's Coach?

Austen Smith has quickly risen in the world of skeet shooting. Despite only having six years of experience, she made it to the Tokyo Olympics competing against seasoned veterans on the United States Women’s Skeet Team. Austen was the youngest member of the USA Shooting Olympic Team in 2020.

Before joining the Olympic team, Smith competed in junior events. She won a silver medal at the Junior World Championships in 2017 and a bronze in 2018. In 2019, she secured a gold medal in the junior individual World Cup and another gold in the junior mixed team event. In 2021, she won her first open World Cup gold medal in Lonato, Italy. She defeated Great Britain’s Amber Hill by three targets becoming the youngest of the six finalists.

Smith completed high school and began studies in aerospace engineering at the University of Texas Arlington.

Quick Facts on Austen Smith's Coach

Austen Smith's Coach

Austen Smith is coached by Vincent Hancock who is a three-time Olympic gold medalist.

Vincent Charles Hancock, born on March 19, 1989, in Port Charlotte, Florida, is an American shooter and Olympian. He won Gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 2012 London Olympics, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He also set an Olympic record in men's skeet shooting at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He was the only Olympian to win two skeet shooting titles.

Vincent Hancock's Parents

Vincent Hancock’s parents are Craig and Susan Hancock.

Besides being a competitive shooter, Craig Hancock, father of Olympian Vincent Hancock, coached the local 4-H shooting sports team. Under Craig's guidance, Hancock learned to shoot and developed a deep passion for the sport. Craig Hancock died on November 11, 2023.

Vincent Hancock's Wife

Rebekah Hancock, the wife of Vincent Hancock, is also a competitive shooter. The couple met as teenagers. Their shared passion for the sport united them and they eventually began dating. Rebekah is a nursing graduate from Texas Christian University. The couple exchanged vows on March 31, 2008,

Vincent Hancock's Kids

Vincent Hancock has two daughters named Bailey Hancock and Brenlyn Hancock.

Vincent Hancock's Physical Attributes

Vincent Hancock was born on March 19, 1989, and is currently 35 years old. He is 5ft 8in (173 cm) tall and weighs 176 lbs (80kg) as of June 2024.

Vincent Hancock's Coaching Career

Vincent Hancock, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, and four-time World Champion, is widely regarded as one of the greatest shooters in the sport's history.

At the age of sixteen, Hancock won his first World Championship title in the men's skeet division in 2005. Over the years, he added more titles including gold medals in the 2009 and 2015 World Championships. In 2015, he was the third one who won three men’s skeet world championships. His impressive record includes four World Championship golds, a silver, and a bronze.

After earning a business management degree from Troy University in 2014, Hancock joined the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit as a sergeant. Although he came in 15th place at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, he emerged victorious with his third Olympic gold in the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Currently, he has devoted his efforts toward coaching other USA Shooting talent such as Katie Jacob and Brian Burrows who was a part of the Tokyo 2020 bronze medal.

Vincent Hancock's Awards & Achievement

• He is the first Olympic Skeet shooter to win gold medals in the same event in consecutive Olympic Games (Beijing 2008, London 2012)

• Achieved a new Olympic record in Tokyo where he scored 59 out of 60 during the final.

• Won three Olympic gold medals making history as the first skeet shooter to achieve so.

• Earned his fourth World Championship title in 2018 becoming the first person ever to win four World titles in Men’s Skeet.