Andrew Smith is bringing a new vision to Citrus College baseball. He brings in discipline, details, and building up players on and off the field.
Smith finished playing his baseball career at Biola University before an injury his senior year of college led him back home to Las Vegas to rehab. After his baseball career at Biola, his former coach, Jay Sullenger gave him the opportunity to return and join the staff.
Smith said, “I immediately fell in love with it and I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else like it. It grabbed a hold of me real quick.”
Education has also played an important role in Smith’s career path with shaping him up to be an effective leader. He earned his bachelor’s degree in communication studies at UNLV, then later on earned his master’s degree in kinesiology at Cal Baptist University.
Smith said how he would love to change the culture he believes championships are cool but not only if the players aren’t getting their degrees and working on themselves.
With Smith being announced the new head baseball coach on Aug 20. for Citrus College, he was drawn to the genuine care for the student athletes.
Members of the program that followed him from Chaffey College to Citrus say Smith has made an impact and communicates to everyone on and off the field.
Donald Brais, assistant coach/recruiting coordinator, has worked alongside Smith for three years and said he has grown as a person because of Smith.
“He wants all these guys to become great young men and not just good baseball players, which is like so lost nowadays,” Brais said. “And that’s why I’ll literally do anything for him.”
He also said Citrus got a good person to lead the baseball team..
Jordan Daniels, a player who followed Smith to Citrus, said his impact goes way beyond the baseball field.
“There’s one word I can really focus on, and he knows exactly what I mean when I say this, but it’s standards,” Daniels said. “Off the field, if I can be the best son that I can be, if I can be the best cousin that I can be, if I can be the best uncle. Regardless of what role I’m playing, whether it be on the field or off the field I hold myself to a high standard because of coach Andy,”
Daniels said Smith is someone that isn’t going to tell the players what they want to hear but will tell the players what they need to hear, and that is what makes him feel successful.
New players on the team are already feeling Smith’s impact this season.
“The biggest lesson I’ve learned from Andy is to always have detail in everything you do because it shows when you’re on and off the field,” freshman Jayden Claros said. “He emphasizes that throughout the season, and I think that focus on detail makes you a better man.”
With this kind of mentor at the helm of the baseball program, Smith is creating a family that cares about your journey in life no matter if it’s on the baseball field or not.
Editor’s Note: Jayden Claros’ quote was lightly edited for grammar and clarity. No meaning was changed.
