Press Release:

PRICE – Utah State Eastern Athletic Director Chelsey Warburton announces the hiring of Ryan Smith as the new USU Eastern Head Softball Coach.

“I am excited to add Ryan to our athletic department and I’m confident the softball program will continue to grow under his direction. Ryan is very familiar with our conference and it’s structure.  He has great recruiting ties coming in to this position,” said Warburton.

Smith comes to Price after spending the last five years coaching at Hurricane High School, including two years as head coach.

“I am very excited for the opportunity to come to a program that is where it is at and the ability to come in a compete for region in the first year,” said Smith.

Smith also has coached five years at the competitive club level for the Southern Thunder.

Originally from the Bear Lake area in Idaho, Smith was a three-sport athlete at Bear Lake High School playing football, basketball and baseball.

Smith holds a bachelors degree in Psychology from Argosy University and a Masters degree in Social Work from Cal State Northridge.

Coach Smith and his wife Melanie have five children including one who is a softball player at Snow College.

He takes over a program in its third year that returns half a dozen starters and all-conference honorees from last season.

“I am looking to come in and build a culture of success, not only in the player’s softball careers but off the field as well,” said Smith.

Last season the Eagles finished the year 25-27 overall and 20-20 in Scenic West Athletic Conference play.

Smith and the Eagles will kick off their Fall ball schedule this Friday and Saturday with games up north in Tooele.