When Jordan Smith arrived at East Webster several years ago starting his teaching and coaching career, he felt something special about the place and could see himself raising his family in Webster county.
Life sometimes has a way of throwing a curveball, however, and one was thrown to him when he was offered a new job closer to his home town of Union.
Smith was approved by the Newton County School Board last week to become the new head baseball coach for Newton County High School. It comes as a surprise to fans ofthe Wolverines as Smith has been a part of the EWHS baseball staff for seven years and became head coach last season. The conversation he had with his players was just as tough as the decision to make the move.
“It was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. I think East Webster High School is one of the best jobs in the state of Mississippi. It’s an unbelievable staff and community and we have some awesome kids. I’ve been with those guys since 2015 and have been their coach from the beginning,” Smith said. “It was difficult because I view coaching as a calling and it’s something God has called me to do to invest in players and young men. It’s more than baseball; you’re teaching those guys life, characters, values and traits that go far beyond the game.
“On the other hand, it was an opportunity for our family. We’re excited about it and being able to get closer to home. We’re excited about the new relationships that we’ll create with the community and the program moving forward.”
Smith is a graduate of East Central Community College and played baseball for the Warriors just a couple of miles down the road from NCHS. His high school days were spent at Union High School so the move gives the young coach a chance to get back closer to home.
After joining coach Wes Johnson’s staff in 2015, Smith helped the Wolverines to a Class 2A state championship that year. He assisted Johnson all the way up tohis retirement in 2019 and was quickly elevated to head coach of the Wolverines last year.
Ina COVID-19 shortened season in 2020, Smith started his career with a 6-3 mark. The Wolverines reeled off five-straight wins to close out the season and were prepared to have a big Region 2 slate before the year was cancelled by the MHSAA.
There’s still a season to be finished for the Wolverines this year, too. EWHS had two tough Class 2A, Region 2 games against Calhoun City in which they lost last week 9-1 and 9-4. That pushed the Wolverines to third in the division heading into the playoffs.
There was a good win for the team on Saturday when they were able to knock off Pontotoc at home 7-4 to move to 14-11 on the season. At 4-4in Region 2, they’ll have to play two games on the road in the playoffs next week.
Before that, the Wolverines took on French Camp Academy on Tuesday night at home and will go to Pontotoc on Saturday at 2 p.m. The team finishes up regular season play Monday with Nanih Waiya before the playoffs begin. Smith still has unfinished business for his team before he leaves.
“We’re trying to finish what we started here. We want to go out with a bang and be one of the last teams playing in 2A. We’re trying to clean up the little things,” Smith said. “All we ever wanted going into the season is to have the opportunity to get in and be the hottest team at the right time. I feel like we’ve got the team to make a really good run, it’s all about who plays the best baseball. That’s what we’re trying to do. Saturday against a really good 4A Pontotoc team was encouraging. We want to finish off this week and next Monday.”
