Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Related Experience
Professional Accomplishments
Organizations
Spouse
Notable Achievement
Accomplishments - Head Coach
References
Personal Information
Timeline
Michael J. Smith

Michael J. Smith

Riverside,USA

Summary

Goal-driven head softball coach with 25 years of experience leading collegiate teams to over 1,000 victories. Expertise in managing operations and strategic planning across NCAA Division I, Power 4, mid-major, D2, and NAIA programs. Proven track record in developing tailored training programs that enhance team performance and individual athlete development. Strong commitment to compliance with NCAA and NAIA regulations while fostering positive team environments that motivate athletes.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience

Work History

HEAD SOFTBALL COACH

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA
06.2021 - 05.2025
  • Overall administration and development of a successful NCAA D1 collegiate softball program.
  • Developed, administered, and evaluated the goals and objectives of the softball program
  • Plan, coordinate and instruct all areas of the game of softball
  • Follow university, NCAA Division 1, and the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) rules and regulations
  • Develop and support effective interaction with students, peers, faculty, staff, administration, alumni, and the public
  • Identify and recruit the academically qualified and highly skilled student-athletes
  • Led softball program to two 30+ winning seasons
  • #6 ranked defense in NCAA
  • 2023 & 2024 WAC Tournament (24' - #2 seed)
  • Encourage and ensure academic progress of each student-athlete
  • Team GPA above 3.5; four consecutive years

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SCOUTING

National Scouting Report
Alabaster, AL
02.2020 - 06.2021
  • The recruiting and hiring of additional softball/baseball scouts globally
  • Managing and aiding scouts globally
  • Build partnerships with organizations, teams, business, and associations that will grow brand awareness and enrollments globally
  • Initiate and manage relationships with College Coaches, Coaches Organizations, and impactful pertinent organizations across the country to educate them on NSR and our mission.
  • Seek out opportunities to personally speak at camps, tournaments and events that will grow NSR brand awareness and enrollments
  • Assist the Digital marketing team with a plan to best use our current and future resources to grow the NSR brand globally
  • Contribute on a regular basis on support videos for current NSR softball athletes. This support may come in the form of recruiting videos, live Q&A sessions via social media or other videos as considered necessary by NSR and our Digital marketing team.
  • As a member of the NSR Management team, work on the overall strategic plan to continue to grow NSR as a global leader in the scouting and recruiting industry.

HEAD SOFTBALL COACH

The University of Mississippi
Oxford, MS
05.2014 - 12.2019
  • Overall administration and development of a successful NCAA D1 collegiate softball program.
  • Developed, administered, and evaluated the goals and objectives of the softball program
  • Plan, coordinate and instruct all areas of the game of softball
  • Follow university, NCAA Division 1, and the Southeastern Conference (SEC) rules and regulations
  • Develop and support effective interaction with students, peers, faculty, staff, administration, alumni, and the public
  • Identify and recruit the academically qualified and highly skilled student-athletes
  • Led softball program to five consecutive winning seasons, including 40+ wins, top 25 RPI, top 25 rankings in both softball national polls, four consecutive NCAA Regional Finals, two NCAA Regional Championships and two Super Regional Appearances.
  • 2017 SEC Tournament Champion
  • 2017 NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year
  • Encourage and ensure academic progress of each student-athlete
  • Team GPA above 3.0 five consecutive years

HEAD SOFTBALL COACH

McNeese State University
Lake Charles, LA
08.2011 - 05.2014
  • Overall administration and development of a successful NCAA D1 collegiate softball program.
  • Developed, administered, and evaluated the goals and objectives of the softball program
  • Plan, coordinate and instruct all areas of the game of softball
  • Follow university, NCAA Division 1 and the Southland Conference rules and regulations
  • Develop and maintain effective interaction with students, peers, faculty, staff, administration, alumni, and the public
  • Identify and recruit the academically qualified and highly skilled student-athletes
  • Encourage and ensure academic progress of each student-athlete
  • Led softball program to consecutive Southland Conference Championships (2013-2014).
  • Led softball program to the institutions 1st ever victory over a #1 ranked team: Arizona State (2012); Signature wins at nationally ranked SEC powers, #5 Alabama, #8 Texas A&M, #24 LSU (2014); #21 University of Alabama-Birmingham (2014).
  • Highest RPI at #28 and #1 Non-Conference Strength of Schedule (2014)
  • Supervised and maintained softball stadium facility (Cowgirl Diamond)
  • Maintained a team G.P.A. at or above 3.2 for the last three years
  • Fundraising each year an average of $40,000

HEAD SOFTBALL COACH

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA
07.2003 - 08.2011
  • Administration and development of a successful NAIA/NCAA D2 collegiate softball program.
  • 2009 NAIA National Champion - 46 consecutive weeks as the #1 nationally ranked team
  • Develop goals and objectives of the softball program
  • Plan, coordinate and instruct all areas of the game of softball
  • Follow university, NAIA, NCAA Division 2 and the Golden State Athletic Conference rules and regulations
  • Develop and support effective interaction with students, peers, faculty, staff, administration, alumni, and the public
  • Identify and recruit the academically qualified and highly skilled student-athletes
  • Encourage and ensure academic progress of each student-athlete
  • Led softball program to eight consecutive GSAC Championships, five Regional Championships, three conference championships and eight National Tournament appearances with three National Runner-Up and a National Championship. Seven consecutive years in the final four.
  • Conference, Regional and National 'Coach of the Year'
  • Supervised and maintained softball stadium facility (John C. Funk Softball Stadium)
  • Maintained a team G.P.A. at or above 3.1 for the last eight years
  • Fundraising each year an average of $25,000

INTERIM HEAD COACH & ASSISTANT SOFTBALL COACH

University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA
09.2002 - 07.2003
  • Administration and development of an NCAA Division 1 collegiate softball program
  • Develop/Support the goals/objectives of the athletic & softball program
  • Plan, coordinate and instruct all areas of the game of softball
  • Follow university, NCAA and the Big West Conference rules and regulations
  • Develop a successful Division 1 softball team
  • Develop and support effective interaction with students, peers, faculty, staff, administration, alumni, and the public
  • Identify and recruit the academically qualified and highly skilled student-athletes
  • Encourage and ensure academic progress of each student-athlete
  • Supervised and maintained softball stadium facility
  • Assist the head coach with organization of practices, recruitment, team travel, fund-raising and any other area of softball responsibility as directed by the head coach
  • Assist the head coach in the administration and development of an NCAA Division 1 softball program

HEAD SOFTBALL COACH

Biola University
La Mirada, CA
10.1998 - 09.2002
  • Administration and development of a successful NAIA collegiate softball program
  • Develop goals and objectives of the softball program
  • Plan, coordinate and instruct all areas of the game of softball
  • Follow university, NAIA and the Golden State Athletic Conference rules and regulations
  • Develop and support effective interaction with students, peers, faculty, staff, administration, alumni, and the public
  • Identify and recruit the academically qualified and highly skilled student-athletes
  • Encourage and ensure academic progress of each student-athlete
  • Led softball program to GSAC Championship, Regional Championship and National Tournament appearance
  • Conference & Regional 'Coach of the Year'
  • Supervised and maintained softball stadium facility
  • Maintained a team G.P.A. at or above 3.1

Education

Single Subject Teaching Credential - Physical Education

California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton
01.1998

B.A. - Physical Education

The Master's College, Santa Clarita
01.1992

A.A. - Physical Education

San Diego City College, San Diego
01.1990

Skills

  • Program administration
  • Athlete recruitment
  • Game strategy development
  • Player skill assessment
  • Compliance management within the NCAA
  • Team building
  • Safety awareness
  • Recruiting strategies
  • Game knowledge
  • Organizational skills
  • Decision making
  • Mentoring and coaching
  • Conflict resolution
  • Time management

Related Experience

  • Director, California Baptist University Summer/Winter Camp, 2021, 2025
  • Director, National Scouting Report (NSR) Skills Camp/Clinic Evaluations, 2020, 2021
  • Director, Ole Miss Softball Camps, 2014, 2019
  • Director, Mike Smith Softball Camps Winter/Summer, 2012, 2014
  • Head Coach of USA Team (Collegiate), American International Sports Tours (AIST) - Prague International Softball Championships, 2011, 2011
  • Director, California Baptist University Summer/Winter Softball Camp, 2004, 2011
  • Director, UC Riverside Winter Softball Camp, 2003, 2003
  • Director, Biola University Softball Camp, 1999, 2002
  • Pitching Coach, Biola University Baseball, 1996, 1998
  • Director, Mission Viejo Vigilantes Baseball Camp, 1997, 1998

Professional Accomplishments

  • 2000, Most Valuable Player (Championship Series), Western Baseball League Champion, All Star Selection
  • 1998, 'Pitcher of the Year', Baseball America 'Pitcher of the Year' (Independent League)
  • 1997, 'Pitcher of the Year'
  • 1996, Western Baseball League Champion

Organizations

  • National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) - Mid West Regional Conference Committee Member
  • National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) - National Committee Member
  • National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) - All-American/Coaching Staff of Year Committee Chairperson
  • California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) - Member
  • American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPHERD) - Member

Spouse

Ellen

Notable Achievement

One of only 25 NCAA Division 1 Head Coaches with 1000 wins or more in coaching career

Accomplishments - Head Coach

  • 2025, California Baptist University, 25+ wins, 4th in WAC regular season, #6 seed in WAC Tourney, #6 Defensive Team in NCAA Division 1, TBD RPI, TBD (Season Record), 1036 Total Collegiate Wins
  • 2024, California Baptist University, 30+ wins, 2nd place in WAC regular season, #2 seed in WAC Tourney, #133 RPI, 33 - 25 (Season Record), 1021 Total Collegiate Wins
  • 2023, California Baptist University, 8th place in WAC regular season, #8 seed in WAC Tourney, #129 RPI, 28 - 29 (Season Record), 993 Total Collegiate Wins
  • 2022, California Baptist University, 30+ wins, 4th place in WAC regular season, Last year of probation from D2 to D1 transition, #107 RPI, 30 - 26 (Season Record), 965 Total Collegiate Wins
  • 2019, University of Mississippi, 41 wins (3rd 40+ win season @ Ole Miss), NCAA Regional Host (2nd in school history), NCAA Regional Champion, NCAA Super Regional vs. Arizona, #11 RPI (Softball America), 41-20 (Season Record), 935 Total Collegiate Wins
  • 2018, University of Mississippi, SEC Tourney, NCAA Regional (Tempe, AZ - ASU Site), NCAA Regional Final, #35 RPI, 32-25 (Season Record), 894 Total Collegiate Wins
  • 2017, University of Mississippi, SEC Tournament Champion, 43 wins (broke school record), NCAA Regional Host (1st in school history), NCAA Regional Champion (1st in school history), NCAA Super Regional vs. UCLA (lost two one run ballgames), #19 RPI, 43-20 (Season Record), 862 Total Collegiate Wins
  • 2016, University of Mississippi, SEC Tourney (1st win in school history), 41 wins (broke school record), Broke offensive/defensive/pitching records, NCAA Regional Bid (1st in school history - Norman, OK - Univ. of Oklahoma Site), NCAA Regional Final, #27 RPI, 41-22 (Season Record), 819 Total Collegiate Wins
  • 2015, University of Mississippi, SEC Tourney (4th time in school history), 30 wins (tied school record), Set every offensive record, #70 RPI, 30-25 (Season Record), 778 Total Collegiate Wins
  • 2014, McNeese State University, Southland Conference CHAMPION (back-to-back), SLC Tournament #1 seed, "Coach of the Year", Ranked in USA Today/NFCA Division 1 national rankings, 45 RPI, 30-17 record, 748 collegiate wins
  • 2013, McNeese State University, Southland Conference CHAMPION, SLC Tournament #1 seed, "Coach of the Year", Ranked in USA Today/NFCA Div. 1 national rankings, 81 RPI, 38-15 record, 708 collegiate wins
  • 2012, McNeese State University, Southland Conference (3rd place finish), SLC tournament #3 seed, defeated #1 Arizona State & #25 Oregon State on same day, ranked in both USA Today/NFCA Division 1 & ESPN.com / USA Softball national rankings - schools 1st time, 107 RPI, 34-21 record, 670 collegiate wins
  • 2011, California Baptist University, Golden State Athletic Conference Champion – 8th consecutive, “Coach of the Year”, GSAC Tournament Champion, NAIA World Series - Runner Up, #1 FINAL National ranking (Entire Season - 14 weeks), #1 Seed - NAIA National Tournament, EASTON Sports “Team of the Year”, 66-5, 636 collegiate wins
  • 2010, California Baptist University, NFCA West Region “Coaching Staff of the Year” (NAIA), “Coach of the Year, GSAC Champion – 7th consecutive championship, GSAC Tournament Champion, NAIA World Series – 3rd Place, #1 FINAL national ranking (Entire Season - 14 weeks), #1 Seed - NAIA National Tournament, 64-4 record, 570 collegiate wins
  • 2009, California Baptist University, NATIONAL CHAMPIONS, NAIA "Coach of the Year, NFCA " Coaching Staff of the Year", NFCA West Region "Coaching Staff of the Year", Bobby Bonds”-Golden Eagle Sports Achievement Award, GSAC “Coach of the Year”, EASTON Sports “Team of the Year”, GSAC Champion – 6th consecutive championship, GSAC Tournament Champion, #1 Seed - NAIA National Tournament, #1 FINAL national ranking (12 weeks), 61-5 record, 506 collegiate wins
  • 2008, California Baptist University, NFCA West Region “Coaching Staff of the Year”, Region 2 & Golden State Athletic Conference “Coach of the Year”, Region 2 & GSAC Champion, NAIA World Series - 4th Place, #1 Seed - NAIA National Tournament, #1 FINAL national ranking (12 weeks), 60-8 record, 445 collegiate wins
  • 2007, California Baptist University, Region 2 “Coach of the Year”, Region 2 & GSAC Champion, NAIA World Series - 3rd Place, #1 Seed - NAIA National Tournament, #1 FINAL national ranking (Entire Season - 14 weeks), 59-5 record, 388 collegiate wins
  • 2006, California Baptist University, NFCA West Region Coaching Staff of the Year (NAIA), Region 2 & Golden State Athletic Conference “Coach of the Year”, Region 2 & GSAC Champion, NAIA World Series - Runner-Up, #1 NAIA National Ranking (12 Weeks), #2 FINAL national ranking, 57-7 record), 300+ collegiate wins
  • 2005, California Baptist University, NFCA National “Coaching Staff of the Year” (NAIA), Region 2 & Golden State Athletic Conference “Coach of the Year", NAIA World Series - Runner-Up, Region 2 & GSAC Champion, # 4 FINAL national ranking, 55-7 record, 260+ collegiate wins
  • 2004, California Baptist University, Region 2 & Golden State Athletic Conference “Coach of the Year”, NAIA World Series - 7th place finish, GSAC Champion, #6 FINAL national ranking, 45-15 record, 200+ collegiate wins
  • 2002, Biola University, Region 2 “Coach of the Year”, NAIA World Series - Qualifier, GSAC - Runner-Up, #7 FINAL national ranking, 43-14 record
  • 2001, Biola University, Golden State Athletic Conference “Coach of the Year”, NAIA World Series - Qualifier, Region 2 - Runner Up, GSAC Champion, #4 FINAL national ranking, 50-13 record
  • 2000, Biola University, #15 FINAL national ranking, GSAC - 3rd Place, 39-19 record

References

References available upon request.

Personal Information

  • Spouse: Ellen
  • Marital Status: Married (32 years)
  • Child Name: Ashlee
  • Child Name: Tyler

Timeline

HEAD SOFTBALL COACH - California Baptist University
06.2021 - 05.2025
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SCOUTING - National Scouting Report
02.2020 - 06.2021
HEAD SOFTBALL COACH - The University of Mississippi
05.2014 - 12.2019
HEAD SOFTBALL COACH - McNeese State University
08.2011 - 05.2014
HEAD SOFTBALL COACH - California Baptist University
07.2003 - 08.2011
INTERIM HEAD COACH & ASSISTANT SOFTBALL COACH - University of California, Riverside
09.2002 - 07.2003
HEAD SOFTBALL COACH - Biola University
10.1998 - 09.2002
California State University, Fullerton - Single Subject Teaching Credential, Physical Education
The Master's College - B.A., Physical Education
San Diego City College - A.A., Physical Education

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