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Coach Chris Smith

Chris Smith


Chris Smith joined the Marlins’ coaching staff in the spring of 2018. Smith works primarily with the infield while assisting in all facets of the Marlin Softball program.

Smith has been a member of the VWU coaching staff for two of the three National Championship wins in 2018, and 2021, as well as a member of two National Coaching Staffs of the Year. 

Under his leadership, Smith helped the Marlins to their sixth straight ODAC Championship title and the program's 14th overall. Smith worked heavily with the infield which produced the ODAC Player of the Year as well as six ODAC All-Conference honorees. 

Smith assisted the Marlins in their third NCAA National Championship run in 2021 and helped coach the NFCA National Player and Pitcher of the Year in Jessica Goldyn and Hanna Hull respectively. Goldyn also garnered the New Balance/NFCA Golden Shoe Award as the NCAA leader for most stolen bases in a season, as well as being named the Diamond Sports/NFCA Catcher of the Year. 

Smith helped guide the Marlins to their second consecutive NCAA National Championship title in 2018 and in his five seasons with the team has a combined record of 187-27-1. He joined Coach Elliott and his peers on the 2018 coaching staff as the ODAC's, the State's as well as the National Coaching Staffs of the Year.

He coached numerous years for Orion Hunter, starting the 10u program in 2009. He presently coaches the 18u team, placing 12 girls in college programs. Smith also coached at Grassfield High School for five seasons; two at the JV level and the last three as the Assistant Varsity Coach, and advanced all three years to the state tournament, winning it in 2015. 

Aside from softball, Smith has also coached the Great Bridge Wrestling team as an Assistant Coach, winning 20 state titles and was named Wrestling Assistant Coach of the year in the State of Virginia.  He coached the golf team for eight years as well.

Chris lives in the Hickory area of Chesapeake with his wife, Kelly. Chris and Kelly have two daughters, Carley and Hailey.