Eric Smiley
Coach Bio
Eric Smiley was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, where he developed his love for baseball. At John Shaw High School, he was a two-way standout as a pitcher and shortstop. During his senior season, he went 11–1 with a 2.89 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 82 innings, earning All-Area and All-Regional honors and selection to the 1997 Mobile/Baldwin County Deadly Diamond team.
Eric continued playing collegiately at Wallace Community College Dothan, Bishop State Community College, and Jacksonville State University, competing as a pitcher and infielder from 1997–2001.
He began coaching youth baseball in 2018 at Shades Mountain Park before moving into competitive travel baseball. Since 2023, he has coached with Hoover Baseball Club (HBC).
Outside of baseball, Eric has spent 21 years with Regions Bank, where he serves as a Senior Vice President. His professional experience strengthens the leadership, preparation, accountability, communication, and teamwork he brings to coaching.
Eric has been married to his wife, Sumer, since 2012, and they have two sons, Brooks and Barrett. He enjoys spending time with his family, supporting his sons’ activities, and following sports.
Coaching Philosophy
Eric believes coaching is an opportunity to shape both athletes and young men. His philosophy is grounded in Christian principles, faith, integrity, humility, service, accountability, and respect.
He teaches players that their character and identity are greater than their performance. While competing and winning matter, how players treat teammates, coaches, opponents, officials, and others matters more. Eric encourages athletes to do the right thing, take responsibility, serve others, respond to adversity with faith and perseverance, and remain humble in success.
He sees baseball as a powerful teacher of resilience, discipline, teamwork, coachability, preparation, and leadership. Players learn to handle both success and failure, put the team first, respect others, and grow through challenges without making excuses.
Eric’s goal is to help players become better baseball players while preparing them for success in school, careers, relationships, and life. Ultimately, he views baseball as a platform for developing skilled athletes who are also strong, responsible, humble, and faith-centered young men.
WE STAY GROUNDED.