New Hampshire Hardball

Rivier turns to Smith

NASHUA — The Rivier University athletics department has announced that Jimmy Smith will be the next head coach of the Raiders baseball team.

Smith will be moving from his assistant coaching position at Wheaton College, where he has been since 2016. While at Wheaton, he was in charge of their offense as their hitting and third base coach. Smith was promoted to the team’s recruiting coordinator in 2018. During his tenure, Smith assisted Wheaton in two NEWMAC Championships (’21, ’22), four Regional Appearances (’17, ’19, ’21, ’22) with two Regional Championships (’19, ’21), and two College World Series Appearances (’17, ’21).

“I am excited to welcome Coach Smith to the Rivier Athletics family,” said Director of Athletics Jonathan Harper, “The search committee quickly recognized his passion for student-athlete development and recruiting,” he continued, “Jimmy’s experience as a student-athlete and a coach translates well into our baseball community, and the Raider baseball team is energized for the new era of Rivier baseball.”

Smith was a four-year student-athlete for Wheaton’s baseball program, with his final year coming in 2016. As a player, he saw his stats increase year after year, with his senior season being the best with a .322 batting average, 20 RBIs, and 55 hits. For his career, Smith had 120 hits, 43 RBIs, and a .294 batting average. During his four seasons with the Lyons, Smith won two NEWMAC Championships (’13, ’16) and was named to First Team All-Conference his senior season.

Graduating in 2016, Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Wheaton College.

“I would also like to thank all my former coaches, players, and teammates for assisting me through the early stages of my coaching career,” Smith said “Especially Eric Podbelski, who helped me to grow and develop into the coach I am today.”

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