Head coach Rick Smith is over the quarter century mark coaching in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association and is the senior coach within the conference.  He is entering his 13^th season with the Jets program.  Coach Smith left his duties at St. Clair County Community College where he compiled a winning record during his tenure.  In his eight years at Jackson he has won 247 games and has received a bid all eight years to the Region XII tournament in Battle Creek.  Coach Smith’s overall record stands at 605-496 after the 2014 season.  Under Smith’s leadership, the Jets won the 2009 MCCAA Conference Championship, runner-up champions in 2010 and a third place finish in 2011.

While at St. Clair County Community College Coach Smith’s teams were third in the state in 2001, Conference co-champs in 1997, Conference Champions in 1994, and Co- Champions in conference 1993 and 1992.  Combined from both Jackson College and St.Clair County Community College Smith has sent on 135 players to four year schools, 21 of them to Division 1 four year schools and eight professionally.  He has also had the opportunity to have 7 NJCAA All- Americans come through both programs.

His coaching career started as an assistant at Grand Valley State University.  During his five years at GVSU, the Lakers won two conference titles and finished as high as sixth nationally.

Coach Smith began his college playing days as a Skipper at St. Clair County College, playing under coaching legend Dick Groch.  He then transferred to GVSU where he was an all-conference selection.  He was a captain his senior year and that team won the GLIAC title with an overall 32-11 record under Coach Doug Wabeke. 

A graduate of Marysville High School, Coach Smith received his Bachelor of Science degree from GVSU and continued his education at Western Michigan University where he received a minor in health education and his teachers’ certification in health education and physical education.  In 1998 Coach Smith completed his master’s degree in athletic administration from Wayne State University.

A few words from the coach regarding this years’ team.“ There is a lot of maturity with an abundance of sophomores holding down key positions in the field.  Our pitching staff brings to us a lot of experience and the first year pitchers are expected to follow the sophomores lead.”  Smith says of the 2018-19 Jets. “ We must play for each other and have fun doing it.”  “We will again have as a goal get better each day and try to make history”.

Coach Smith also serves as the Director of Athletic Development and Assistant Athletic Director at Jackson College.  He is married to Dr. Elly Teunion-Smith, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice; Director of Criminal Justice Program at Siena Heights University.  They reside in Adrian, Michigan. And have two wonderful children Hunter Teunion-Smith and  Laura Teunion-Smith. 

Coach Smith with his son Hunter Teunion-Smith.  Hunter played for the Jets 2016-2018.