SMITHVILLE — In his first official act as head football coach at Smithville High Friday morning, all Mike Baker had to do was walk down the hall to meet with his new team.
Baker is a teacher at SHS, and having him in the building was one of the main selling points with the district, which Friday morning announced Baker as the choice to replace Brent Besancon in charge of the Smithie football program.
Baker, 42, was selected from 31 applicants to become just the third football coach at Smithville since 1977, when Keith Schrock began his career that concluded 35 seasons later with an area-record 250 games. Besancon replaced Schrock in 2012 and stepped down late last year after six seasons and a record of 32-30, including 6-4 last season.
"I think it’s important," said Baker of his ability to connect with players through the school day at Smithville, where he’s taught math for 14 years.
"I was already able to talk to a couple of kids who didn’t play last year, get it in their heads to maybe come out with us in the fall. When you have a relationship with the kids, that’s a huge component as a coach, and to be in the building helps with that."
Baker graduated from Triway in 1994 and Mount Union in 1998, and was an offensive lineman on back-to-back Mount Union national championship teams as a junior and senior, playing for legendary coach Larry Kehres.
"Listening to a Hall of Fame coach like Coach Kehres, going through film and learning how to break it down, it was huge," Baker said. "Lots of life lessons, too, and the network continues to get bigger and bigger. Certainly there are lasting philosophies even now of setting up an offense and defense."
After taking last season off, Baker said he "missed it." He served as an assistant under both Schrock and Besancon, and was head coach at Rittman for three seasons in the early 2000s, compiling a 13-17 record that included a 6-4 finish in 2000 and second-place in the Wayne County Athletic League.
Baker, his wife (SHS grad Erin) and three children live in the district, and he has a strong appreciation for the tradition of Smithville football.
"Regional appearances, regional finalists, state semifinalist, we’ve got to look at what it takes to get back to that level," Baker said.
"We’ll start by setting goals to be a team — the best team in football usually wins as opposed to the team with the best talent," he added. "Yes, we want to get the numbers up, but the first thing we talked about this morning was the teamwork piece, that we always have to do the right thing and lift teammates up by not letting them down."
Baker will also keep his post as Smithville’s head softball coach, and said the goal for both of his programs will be simple: "Every day, just work to get better than you were the day before."
Smithville athletic director Chad Spurlock ticked off the qualities that made Baker the pick.
"Having a guy like coach Baker in the school building every day, plus the other positives that he brings," Spurlock said. "Loyalty, leadership, a passion to teach kids and the game, attention to detail, a competitive edge and his involvement with the Smithville/Marshallville community are all things Mike will bring to this program.
"I am very happy for Mike and his family and I know how much this means to him to be the next head football coach at Smithville."