Schaumburg grad Smith fits at Concordia
Adam Smith always seemed destined to become a coach.
When Smith was at Schaumburg in the early 1990s, he was the kind of player loved by coaches such as Paul Groot in baseball and Bob Williams in basketball. The kid who would dive on the floor for a loose ball or drop down a bunt to spark a rally.
The kind of kid who knew how to play the game the right way. And now Smith gets his chance to run a team that will do things that same way.
Smith has already showed he could lead the way in tough times when he was suddenly promoted in late September to interim head baseball coach at Concordia University in River Forest. And on Monday, Smith officially had his dream job and it became his program to run after the interim tag was removed.
“I was offered a couple of jobs (in the past) but they didn't feel like the right fit,” said Smith, who graduated from Schaumburg in 1994. “I definitely feel this is. There are good people all over the university.”
Smith spent the last two years as Concordia's full-time assistant and hitting coach. Success wasn't an issue as the program made its first regional appearance in 2009 and is coming off back-to-back 30-win seasons.
The challenge came early in the fall when head coach Spiro Lempesis was abruptly fired by the school. Smith had to make a quick and challenging transition.
So far it's been a success.
“Since it happened it's been going real well,” Smith said. “Not one student-athlete left and everyone has bought in to what I'm doing.
“People were looking for some stability and they liked everything I've been doing. It's been really nice and I'm really excited.”
Smith had a solid foundation to prepare him for his big chance. It started at home with his dad Rick and his mom Susan, who tragically died in 2000 after a battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).
“She was everything to me,” Smith said, “and I always wanted to make her proud of me in whatever I did.”
Being around coaches such as Groot, Williams and Tom Mueller at Schaumburg and Carthage College baseball coach Augie Schmidt made a big impact as well.
“He was a very intense kid and very coachable,” Groot said. “He wasn't the most highly skilled kid but he would literally run through a wall for you.
“He got the most out of his ability. He loved the game and it was fun to have kids like that.”
The fun continued for Smith during a playing career at Carthage where he was chosen twice to the CCIW all-conference team. He stayed on as an assistant to Schmidt at one of the premier Division III programs in the country and helped two teams reach the College World Series.
“Coaching college ball became my real passion once I started playing in college,” Smith said. “I love the recruiting aspect.
“I want to be myself and show kids and parents I'm going to take care of their sons and be there for them not only as a coach but as a father figure. I think parents like that about me.”
Groot has already seen that displayed by Smith.
“He's got his head on straight,” Groot said. “Kids love playing for him. I talked to a lot of the kids at Carthage we sent up there and they loved playing for him.”
That doesn't mean it will be easy. But his Concordia players are already familiar with Smith's expectations.
“I want to create a tough atmosphere where we'll be really tough on and off the field and do the right things all the time,” Smith said. “That's what I've stressed to the guys and they've bought in really quickly. They know how I am and what I want.”
Smith likes the talent he has returning, which includes St. Viator graduate and junior catcher Nick Skala, who has been receiving some professional interest.
But Smith also understands the Division III level is more about preparing kids for professional steps that don't include a bat and ball.
“You can recruit kids who love the game and want to get great degrees,” Smith said. “It's a different type of kid — someone who wants to get after it baseball-wise and in the classroom.”
The same way Adam Smith has gotten after it since his days in a Schaumburg uniform.