Cal Baptist has hired Mike Smith as the Lancers’ new head coach.
In an unusual twist, current head coach Bill Baber will serve as an assistant coach on Smith’s staff.
The move was announced on Thursday morning, and will see Smith return to the school where he had his greatest success as a coach; the head coach of the Lancers from 2004-2011, Smith is the program’s all-time wins leader and led the squad to the 2009 NAIA National Championship.
Most recently, Smith spent five years as the head coach at Ole Miss, posting a 187-112 record with the Rebels, and winning the 2017 SEC tournament before abruptly departing the program in December 2019.
“I am excited about the chance to get to work with Mike again. The Lancers accomplished a lot of great things in our first eight years together, and I am excited to see what we can do now in Division I,” now-assistant coach Baber said in a school press release.
“The chance to return to CBU, a place that’s always felt like home and to coach with Bill again is a situation too good to pass up,” Smith said in a statement. “I want to thank Dr. Ellis, Vice President Kent Dacus and Director of Athletics Tyler Mariucci for this opportunity.”
Prior to his tenure at Ole Miss, Smith was the head coach at McNeese State. He also has spent time on staff with National Scouting Report, a recruiting service.
Cal Baptist finished the 2021 season with a 21-30-1 overall record and an 8-10 mark in conference play. Pitcher Kerisa Viramontes earned WAC Pitcher of the Year honors.
