New softball coach hired to lead team; replaces Richins

The school announced per a release that Smith will take over the third-year program after head coach Brittani Richins left the school to pursue other interests.
Smith’s hire was also the first major hire by Athletic Director Chelsey Warburton since she took over in July 2017.
“I am excited to add Ryan to our athletic department and I’m confident the softball program will continue to grow under his direction. Ryan is very familiar with our conference and its structure.  He has great recruiting ties coming in to this position,” said Warburton in the release.
Smith comes to USU Eastern after spending the last several years in the Saint George area, most recently at Hurricane High School as their softball coach.
He has some familiarity with the tough Scenic West Athletic Conference that his team plays in. His daughter plays softball for Snow College and has coached club softball with some of the players at other schools as well.
“I am very excited for the opportunity to come to a program that is where it is at and the ability to come in a compete for region in the first year,” said Smith.
The program he takes over is coming off an impressive 25-27 record and returns over half a dozen starters including all-conference honorees McKenna Gubanich, Ashley Sweat, McKenzie Dorney and Carlye Levy.
After only a few days of practice and workouts his players have already felt a difference in the atmosphere at practice especially Smith’s approach to coaching.
With a background in psychology, he holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work and a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, Coach Smith involves the psychological aspects of competitive sports in his approach to coaching.
“He has a whole different method,” said Sweat. “He cares a lot about mental health, just as much as physical health.”
Even right off the bat, the players knew that the mental aspect of his coaching will help them succeed in games against teams the Eagles have struggled with the first two years of the program.
“We will be stronger mentally. I think we will be able to walk into the games more confident knowing that we are just as good or better than them,” said sophomore outfielder Avery Blackhurst.
In addition to helping the player’s performance on the field, Smith hopes to accomplish more with each player in the upcoming school year.
“I am looking to come in and build a culture of success, not only in the player’s softball careers but off the field as well,” said Smith.
Before entering the coaching ranks and becoming a mental health professional, Smith was a three-sport athlete at Bear Lake High School in Idaho.
He and his wife Melanie are the parents of five children.