Smith returns to coach Rocky Mount High baseball program
By Jessie H. Nunery
Sports Writer
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
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Pat Smith has a new place to do what he likes to do: Coach baseball.
He’s employed, but would never dare use the “J” word in describing being around baseball.
“I don’t have jobs at my age,” said Smith, 66. “If it was a job, I wouldn’t do it.”
Smith is back at Rocky Mount High School, having recently agreed to take over the Gryphons’ baseball program.
He spent the past four seasons at Rocky Mount Academy before resigning after the season.
When Gryphons athletics director Mike Gainey called Smith after Kent Cox resigned, Smith remembered the fond memories he had at Rocky Mount and decided to return.
“I thought Kent did a good job,” said Smith of his former assistant. “They just need a little sparkplug. We’re going to teach the fundamentals, and hopefully we’ll have some talent.”
Smith who coached the Gryphons for seven years, helped the program win its fifth state championship in 2008 behind a talented crop of players including current minor leaguers Brian Goodwin and Benton Moss.
Smith also has state titles as a player (Robersonville High, 1967), an assistant coach (Robersonville High, 1973, 1974) and head coach (South Johnston High, 1990).
He led Rocky Mount Academy to the 2013 NCISAA 2-A state championship series and winning series throughout his four seasons with the Eagles.
Smith said the league outside of rivals Faith Christian and Kinston Parrott was not up to par, but he loved being a part of the Eagles’ program.
“I can’t say anything bad about Rocky Mount Academy, its administration and the boys I coached,” Smith said. “They worked as hard as any teams I’ve ever had.”
Now, one of the more highly-respected baseball names in the state will return to the Gryphons for some afternoon hours.
He will not do any teaching at the school, leaving time to do whatever he wishes – Wednesday it was playing golf – prior to going to the ballpark each day.
Coaching baseball is something Smith is good at, gets paid to do, and at this stage of his career, he does it on his terms.
“I’ve been very fortunate,” Smith said.
By Jessie H. Nunery
Sports Writer
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
0 Comments | Leave a Comment
Pat Smith has a new place to do what he likes to do: Coach baseball.
He’s employed, but would never dare use the “J” word in describing being around baseball.
“I don’t have jobs at my age,” said Smith, 66. “If it was a job, I wouldn’t do it.”
Smith is back at Rocky Mount High School, having recently agreed to take over the Gryphons’ baseball program.
He spent the past four seasons at Rocky Mount Academy before resigning after the season.
When Gryphons athletics director Mike Gainey called Smith after Kent Cox resigned, Smith remembered the fond memories he had at Rocky Mount and decided to return.
“I thought Kent did a good job,” said Smith of his former assistant. “They just need a little sparkplug. We’re going to teach the fundamentals, and hopefully we’ll have some talent.”
Smith who coached the Gryphons for seven years, helped the program win its fifth state championship in 2008 behind a talented crop of players including current minor leaguers Brian Goodwin and Benton Moss.
Smith also has state titles as a player (Robersonville High, 1967), an assistant coach (Robersonville High, 1973, 1974) and head coach (South Johnston High, 1990).
He led Rocky Mount Academy to the 2013 NCISAA 2-A state championship series and winning series throughout his four seasons with the Eagles.
Smith said the league outside of rivals Faith Christian and Kinston Parrott was not up to par, but he loved being a part of the Eagles’ program.
“I can’t say anything bad about Rocky Mount Academy, its administration and the boys I coached,” Smith said. “They worked as hard as any teams I’ve ever had.”
Now, one of the more highly-respected baseball names in the state will return to the Gryphons for some afternoon hours.
He will not do any teaching at the school, leaving time to do whatever he wishes – Wednesday it was playing golf – prior to going to the ballpark each day.
Coaching baseball is something Smith is good at, gets paid to do, and at this stage of his career, he does it on his terms.
“I’ve been very fortunate,” Smith said.
