LCC Names head baseball coach
Gary L. Smith of Trenton has been named Lenoir Community College’s head baseball coach for the 2020-2021 season. A former New Bern High School Head Baseball Coach, Smith brings a vast amount of experience and expertise to the Lancer field. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in leisure services/physical education from Christopher Newport University of Newport News, VA, where he was also a member of the baseball program. With an overall record of 417-211, he is the winningest coach at New Bern High School. He has 121 college signees and 19 professional signees to his credit.
He has been the NC State Director of US Elite Baseball, Head Baseball Coach of New Bern American Legion Post 24, and of Matthews American Legion Post 265, and has been a camp coordinator for New Bern High School Summer Baseball and Extra Innings Baseball camps. "I believe we are highly fortunate to have landed Coach Smith as our head baseball coach,” said Shelly Barnes, LCC Director of Student Support/Athletic Director. “We had a lot of quality applicants, but the eastern NC connection Coach Smith has established, his knowledge and expertise of the game, his energy, enthusiasm, and experience were all attributes I was looking for at LCC,” she said. “He has a big job ahead of him; I'm asking him to develop players, create a new culture, teach good morals, build trust and passion.
I'm asking for opportunities for our players once they leave LCC, and to move our baseball program back to the top of Region 10,” she said. “It will require 110% of his best effort; but Coach Smith is highly capable and I'm excited for what he brings to LCC Baseball,” she said. “Throughout the course of my career, I have worked to improve my ability to evaluate and improve player performance and coordinate the many facets of a successful baseball program,” Smith said. “I am capable and consistent problem-solver skilled at prioritizing and managing projects with proficiency.” Smith said he is excited to be a part of Lancer Nation and is looking forward to taking to the field with his team. “I feel extremely blessed for the opportunity to be part of such a storied baseball program.
My whole career has been amazing, from the mentors I have had, to the friendships I have formed, to the players I have had the honor to instruct,” he said. Smith is a NC Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and American Legion Hall of Fame inductee. He has been named the Coach of the Year for the Big East 4A Conference, the Southwestern 4A Conference, and Region 6. He was also named the North Carolina High School Baseball Coach of the Year and the Charlotte Observer High School Coach of the Year. He has 17 playoff appearance and was the North Carolina 4A Baseball State Champions in 1995 and Runner-up in 1995. He is married to his wife of 24 years, Doris, and they have three daughters, Micah, Hannah, and Dylan.
