Brian Smiley has been named the 17th head baseball coach in program history, Miami University Director of Athletics David Sayler announced on Saturday, June 10. Smiley spent the past 14 seasons in the dugout at Indiana State, the first eight as an assistant coach before being promoted to associate head coach in 2017. He also has served as the team's recruiting coordinator since 2009.
 
"I'd like to thank Director of Athletics David Sayler and Darrell Hallberg for this incredible opportunity," said Smiley. "My family and I were immediately drawn to the family-like atmosphere at Miami, and we are excited to begin our chapter with Miami baseball to build upon the program's history of excellence. I look forward to serving our student-athletes and pursuing championships with them for years to come. Go RedHawks!"
 
Smiley has helped guide the Sycamores to five NCAA postseason berths during his time in Terre Haute, including a trip to the Super Regionals in 2023, the first in program history. ISU posted a 45-16 overall record and went 24-3 in Missouri Valley play, capturing the regular-season title by a six-game margin this year. The Sycamores went on to win the MVC Tournament Championship as well and hosted an NCAA Regional in 2023. ISU was 442-292 during Smiley's time, never recording a losing season and posting nearly 50 victories over Power-5 programs.
 
"I am excited to welcome Brian, his wife Katie and their three children to the Miami Athletics family," said Sayler. "Brian has worked with all areas of a successful program at Indiana State over the past 14 years, serving as associate head coach over the past six years, a stretch where they went to three NCAA tournaments. Coach Smiley is loyal, tenacious, driven to succeed, a great recruiter and teacher of the game - all things that make him an ideal choice to lead our baseball program into the future."
 
Over his time at ISU, Smiley has implemented a recruiting strategy that focuses on the Midwest, Southeast and Latin America. The Mount Vernon, Ind., native has helped produce over 30 MLB draft picks, including picks in the first and second round, highlighted by the 2017 MLB Draft that featured four Sycamore draft picks. In all, Smiley has helped five different players reach the major leagues.
 
Known in baseball circles as a defensive specialist, Smiley has coached some of the best defensive teams in the country the past 14 years. In 2023, the Sycamores ranked first in the country with a .984 fielding percentage. Indiana State ranked as high as fifth in fielding in 2016 and his teams have finished top-50 in the nation in the category each of the past five years.
 
Prior to the remarkable 2023 campaign, Indiana State added an at-large selection into the Nashville Regional after posting a 31-21 overall record and 14-10 mark in conference play in 2021. Helping the at-large cause was a doubleheader sweep over No. 16 Tennessee and taking two of three from No. 20 Florida Atlantic.
 
The 2019 season was a monumental season for Indiana State as the Sycamores finished with a 43-18 record, including a program best 20-2 start to the season. Indiana State went on to claim the 2019 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament crown, marking the first time that ISU had won the MVC Tournament since 1995 after winning four-straight elimination games and two-straight games against nationally-ranked Dallas Baptist. Indiana State reached the Regional Final in 2019 with wins over McNeese and Ohio State.
 
Indiana State entered the national rankings in three different polls in 2019, coming in at No. 23 in both the D1Baseball.com and Perfect Game rankings while sitting at No. 25 in the Baseball America poll. The last time the Sycamores were nationally ranked was at the conclusion of the 1989 season when ranked 22nd by Collegiate Baseball.
 
In 2019, Smiley coached the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year in Jake Means. Means was a Rawlings Gold Glove finalist and finished the season with a .284 batting average and led ISU with 34 RBIs and 14 hit-by-pitch.
 
Other career highlights include a 2012 conference championship and a 2014 at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament.
 
Over his four years as a student-athlete in collegiate baseball, Smiley played one season each at Triton and Lincoln Trail Community College before transferring to play two seasons at Arkansas - Little Rock where he graduated with a bachelors in exercise science.

Brian and his wife, Katie, have three children: Isaac, Christian and Vivienne.
 
What They Are Saying
 
Sherard Clinkscales, Indiana State Athletic Director
"Brian is an exceptional person who happens to be an outstanding coach. He is more than ready for this opportunity. All the best to Katie, Isaac, Christian and Vivienne."
 
 
Mitch Hannahs – Indiana State Head Baseball Coach
"Brian Smiley is one of the finest young coaches in the country. He has been vital to our success at Indiana State and we feel very fortunate to have held on to him as long as we have. For those who don't know Brian's name, it is because he hasn't spent his career marketing himself. He has spent it working his tail off and letting that outcome speak for him!!"
 
 
Rick Heller, Iowa Head Baseball Coach
"Brian Smiley has been a highly successful and loyal assistant coach. He will be an even better head coach. He's a leader, excellent recruiter-evaluator and a tireless worker. Brian teaches the game and develops players at a high level. More importantly, Brian is an outstanding person, husband and dad. He has high standards and does things the right way. Brian has earned this opportunity and I know he will take full advantage of it. Miami University has made a tremendous hire."