Conqu'ring Heroes: Smith Re-Enters Big Ten Fray Focused on Michigan
9/29/2022 10:00:00 AM | Baseball, Features
By Erin O'Hara
Coaching any sport in the Big Ten can seem like a daunting task to many, but to University of Michigan baseball head coach Tracy Smith, the position is a familiar one.
"I love this conference," said Smith on the latest edition of the Conqu'ring Heroes podcast. Smith, who became the head coach at Michigan on July 3, spent the last seven seasons at Arizona State. However, prior to his time in Tempe, he was on the coaching staff at Indiana for 11 years -- nine as the head coach in Bloomington.
When asked what makes the Big Ten so special to him, the 2013 National Coach of the Year and Big Ten Coach of the Year honoree said, "I love that we embrace the student-athlete component."
Embracing the student side of the student-athlete is a strong point for Smith, but where he really shines is getting them on board to come play for him and then developing them into stars.
"I just want to see guys compete," said Smith when asked about what he is looking for from his players. This emphasis on pure competition without a heavy focus on analytics has boded well for Smith in his time as a head coach, resulting in 90 Major Legue Baseball draft selections -- including the 2020 draft's first overall pick, Detroit Tiger Spencer Torkelson.
Smith's resume will help on the recruiting trail as his goal at Michigan is to keep great baseball players in the state of Michigan.
"There are great players here. Recruiting is the heartbeat of our program, and we want to stay close to that heartbeat," said Smith. "We want to build a wall around the state of Michigan and keep these guys here."
This focus on keeping players at home coupled with Smith's love for the game of baseball hopefully will translate into success for the Wolverines on the diamond.
Smith will coach his fist game as Michigan skipper this Saturday (Oct. 1) when the Wolverines host Xavier in an exhibition game at Wilpon Complex, the home of Ray Fisher Stadium.
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