GREENVILLE, S.C. — Ron Smith has announced his resignation following 23 seasons as head coach of Furman University’s baseball program.
Despite injuries to three starters, Furman went 14-6 over its final 20 games and posted a 29-30 overall record this year, finishing fourth in the Southern Conference with a 14-10 league record. Season highlights included series wins over eventual SoCon Tournament champion Western Carolina and Big 12 Conference Tournament runner-up West Virginia. Furman produced the SoCon’s Pitcher of the Year in sophomore right-hander Will Gaddis and Freshman of the Year in outfielder Jabari Richards, who on Monday was named to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America Team.
Smith posted 580-693-3 record in his 23-year tenure and coached the Paladins to a 2005 Southern Conference Tournament championship and NCAA Tournament appearance.
“We are performing a search inside and outside our community and will find someone who will lead these young men to great heights,” said Furman Director of Athletics Mike Buddie. “As a program with a proud history and incredible facilities, located in the heart of a highly fertile area for baseball talent, we are excited to identify a new leader who can capitalize on all the great things Furman University and Greenville have to offer. We do not have a specific timeline for finding a replacement. Our desire is to proceed quickly but not rush the process. We know there are players, staff, and recruits who are anxious right now, and we ask them to be patient during this process.”
