On August 7, 2024, The USL Championship announced Rhode Island FC’s Khano Smith had been awarded the Championship’s Coach of the Month award for July after leading the side to an undefeated month with three victories in four games that moved the first-year club into the playoff positions in the Eastern Conference.

Appointed as Rhode Island’s first Head Coach and General Manager last year ahead of its expansion season, Smith has helped his side progress impressively over the course of the current campaign. While the side won only once in its first 14 games, it also drew nine times, including earning home results against Louisville City FC and Sacramento Republic FC.