Rob Smith has officially been named manager of the Emery High School baseball team, it was announced by school officials over the weekend.

“It’s exciting news. I’ve been wanting to do this for quite awhile, ” Said Smith Monday on KOAL’s Drive Time Sports. “I love baseball, and Emery is a great school for baseball.”

Smith, a former assistant coach at USU Eastern, will replace former manager Shawn Alton, who held the position for one season. Smith will be the third manager in as many seasons. In 2016 long time manager Steve Gordon was forced to step down from the position after being named principal of the high school.

Smith played high school baseball at Bear Lake in Montpelier, Idaho. He continued his baseball career at the College of Eastern Utah in 2007. After returning from his LDS mission, Smith returned to CEU as a player in 2010.

“I’d like to give a lot of credit to my high school coach, who really focused on fundamentals,” said Smith when asked what has prepared him for the position. “I also learned a lot at CEU under Scott Madsen. There’s so many ups and downs in the college game and that teaches you a lot.”

From 2011 through 2015 Smith served as an assistant under Madsen. During the past five years he has also worked as a high school referee in both football and basketball.

Current Emery High School assistant principal Dean Stilson will serve as an assistant coach for the baseball program during the upcoming season. Smith will have a full staff announced shortly.