The University of Mississippi Athletics
Softball Head Coach Mike Smith Receives Contract Extension
6/7/2016 | Softball
OXFORD, Miss. - On the heels of leading Ole Miss softball to its best season in school history, head coach Mike Smith has received a contract extension, Director of Athletics Ross Bjork announced Tuesday.
"We couldn't be more pleased with Mike Smith leading our softball program, and we are excited to announce our renewed commitment and that's he's our coach for a long time to come," Bjork said. "Under his guidance, Ole Miss Softball has reached unprecedented levels and we now have the ability to compete on a national scale. His teams have not only given us something to cheer for on the field, but they've also shown how strong they are in the classroom and in the community. We can't wait to see where this program is headed, and we look forward to the great future of Ole Miss Softball under his guidance. The best is yet to come."
In just two years at the helm of the program, Smith has not only given the Rebels a competitive edge, but helped lead the group to recognition that resonates throughout the softball community. After what looked to be one of the best season's ever in Smith's first year in 2015 (30 wins - tied school record), the 2016 Rebels shattered that and every other win record this past spring.
The first NCAA Tournament appearance, first SEC Tournament win, first team to reach 40 wins, a school record 12-game win streak earlier in the year, school record 20-3 start, and a myriad of huge victories for the program all came in 2016 under Smith's watch.
"I'm very thankful for receiving this new contract and extension," Smith said. "I love coaching at the University of Mississippi and living in Oxford, where the community has been wonderful to my family and me. We love it here in Oxford and this is our home, and we are invested in Ole Miss and this great community. I feel we are building something very special here and this commitment by the university is another great step towards ensuring we continue to compete in the SEC and across the country at the highest level."
After going a combined 83-133 overall, and 16-86 in SEC play in the last four years, Smith and his staff have completed the turnaround leading the Rebels to 71 wins overall and 17 in league play, becoming the first team in program history to record back-to-back winning seasons.
Ole Miss achieved its highest RPI mark of the year at No. 27 in the final RPI before postseason play, and finished the year with 11 wins against top-50 RPI teams, six of which came away from home. Of the 22 losses on the year, 15 were against top-25 RPI teams.
The Rebels finished strong down the stretch with five top-20 RPI wins over the final month of the season, falling in the Norman Regional final to No. 3 Oklahoma, a team that's playing for a national title this week at the Women's College World Series.
Smith helped lead freshman superstar Hailey Lunderman to a record year on the diamond, as she was a top-10 finalist for National Freshman of the Year, and also garnered All-SEC Freshman honors. Three Rebels - Elantra Cox (first team), Lunderman (second team), and Madi Osias (third team) - all earned a place on the NFCA All-Region Team, marking the first time in school history with multiple players to earn the honor.
"I want to thank Ross and Lynnette (Johnson) for believing and trusting in me to lead this program," Smith added. "We all share the same vision for excellence in our softball program. I appreciate their support of our mission to build Ole Miss Softball into a nationally ranked and respected both on the field and in the classroom."
Off the field, the Rebels were just as successful, as 21 student-athletes achieved a 3.0 or higher GPA in either the fall or spring semester. Five achieved a GPA of 3.75 or higher earning a place on the Chancellor's Honor Roll, while the team posted a 3.14 cumulative GPA, contributing to Ole Miss' record-breaking academic campaign in the 2015-16 year that saw 52 percent of its student-athletes earn a 3.0 or better.
"I'm so proud of the foundation that has been laid and my softball staff that has been part of the entire transformation," Smith said. "Ole Miss Softball is in a great place and so am I."
For all Ole Miss Softball news and information, go to OleMissSports.com and follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissSoftball, on Facebook at Ole Miss Softball and on Instagram at Instagram.com/olemisssoftball. Fans can also follow head coach Mike Smith on Twitter at @msmithsb16. Additionally fans can get a behind the scenes look at Ole Miss Athletics on Snapchat under the handle, @WeAreOleMiss.
