Rick Smith started coaching at Worcester State in 2008. With Smith on the coaching staff, Worcester State has led the MASCAC in ERA three times, won four MASCAC Championships, and appeared in three NCAA Tournaments.

Smith has coached six First Team All-MASCAC pitchers (Ben Libuda in 2014, Alex Teal in 2013, Joey Lucier in 2008, 2009, and 2010, and Mike Borowiec in 2009).

A handful of notable Lancers have been coached by Smith. In 2014, Libuda was the Worcester Area Pitcher of the Year, and in 2015 he was drafted by the Atlanta Braves. In 2017, Kyle Sullivan threw a 1-0 shutout in the MASCAC Final and was named Tournament MVP (Bob DeVito tossed a shutout in a 2011 elimination game). Pat Good and Lucier were named Worcester Senior Athletes of the Year, closer Kevin Hayes was picked for the Fenway All-Star Game, and Shaun Slattery was Second Team All-New England in 2011.

Coach Smith is a former head coach at Assumption and Fitchburg State, setting school records for wins at both. Numerous star players were coached by Smith including All-Americans Steve Santucci, Mike O’Keefe, and New York Yankees star Brett Gardner. Rick also coached alongside former MLB All-Star and World Series champion Mike Easler with the Nashua Pride, and won two NECBL titles as head coach of the Worcester Collegiates. Rick pitched at Winona State (Minn.) and earned a master’s degree from Fitchburg State.

He has also scouted for his beloved New York Yankees, thrown batting practice for the Pawtucket Red Sox, and coached in the Valley League alongside his mentor Mo Weber. He is a retired middle school principal of 36 years, and now lives in Sterling. He has two grown children, including son Brandon, a former MLB strength coach.