| Title: | Assistant Coach / Pitching Coach |
| Email: | chris.smith@kzoo.edu |
Chris Smith began as the program’s pitching coach prior to the 2018 season, coming to Kalamazoo from Division I Louisiana Monroe where he served as the pitching coach for two seasons.
At ULM, Smith sent two pitchers to the professional ranks including 2016 Toronto Blue Jays draft pick Brayden Bouchey.
Smith spent two years at the University of Northwestern Ohio in Lima, Ohio. During his time with the Racers, he served as the team's pitching coach as well as recruiting coordinator. In 2014, his first season with the team, the squad's ERA improved by 1.20, compared to the 2013 season. The team finished first in the conference in fewest walks (126), walks per game (2.52) and strikeouts per game during the regular season (5.26). Northwestern Ohio also finished second in the league in ERA (4.18). Smith also recruited two All-Americans from the 2017 squad as well as UNOH’s 2016 draft pick John Schreiber and 2017 draft pick Kyle Thomas. ERA again dropped by more than a run from 2014 to 2015, as the team's ERA improved from 4.18 to 3.11. The Racers' ERA of 3.11 was the 12th best mark in all of NAIA and the squad also finished 12th in strikeouts.
During his tenure at Northwestern Ohio, a total of four players were named First Team All-WHAC and Ryan Burns was named the conference's Pitcher of the Year following the 2015 season.
Smith has also spent time coaching during the summers as he has spent time with the Battle Creek Bombers (2013) and Kalamazoo Growlers (2014) of the Northwoods League as well as the Alaska Goldpanners (2015) of the Alaska Baseball League. During his time in Kalamazoo, he and Coach Ott were on the same coaching staff.
Prior to joining Northwestern Ohio, Smith served as the assistant varsity coach/pitching coach at Chesterton High School as well as the head coach/pitching coach with the Breakers Baseball Club (18U Elite Travel Team). Chesterton High School won the 2013 DAC Championship and during the 2011 season, the squad posted a conference ERA of 1.92. Smith also had one player named All-Conference during his tenure.
Smith was a four-year letter winner at Ohio Dominican from 2006-2009. As a freshman in 2006, he was named the league's Pitcher of the Year. He also earned First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Region and Third-Team All-American Honors. In 2007, he was again a First-Team All-Conference selection. Smith was named Academic All-American in 2008 and 2009, and as a junior earned Honorable Mention All-Conference Honors.
Smith also pitched during three different summers as he was part of the Sanford River Rats (2006), Alaska Glacier Pilots (2007) and Licking County Settlers (2008).
Smith graduated from Ohio Dominican in 2009 with cum laude honors and he completed his master’s degree at Northwestern Ohio in 2015.