Belmont has named Megan Rhodes Smith as the program’s new head coach.
Smith most recently was the pitching coach at Lipscomb for six years, and earned the title of associate head coach prior to the 2018 season. She was part of a coaching staff that led the Bisons to a pair of NCAA tournament appearances, in 2014 and ’19.
Under Smith’s guidance, the Lipscomb pitching staff saw four pitchers earn all-ASun Conference honors since 2014. The Bisons staff ranked in the top-25 nationally in ERA, and twice led the conference in strikeouts under her shepherding.
Prior to joining the staff at Lipscomb, Smith spent time on the coaching staffs at Western Kentucky, Middle Tennessee State, and Charleston Southern.
As a player, Smith starred at the University of Tennessee from 2005-08, finishing her career in the top-5 of a number of statistical categories, including strikeouts (2nd); wins (3rd); and innings pitched & earned run average (4th). She finished her playing career with the Lady Vols with a 67-22 record in the circle.
Belmont posted a 31-23 overall record during the 2019 season, including a 12-10 mark in conference play. The team’s pitching staff finished the year with a 3.13 cumulative ERA and 333 strikeouts.
