Courtesy of Utah State Athletics
LOGAN, Utah – Utah State head softball coach Steve Johnson announced Tuesday the rounding out of his coaching staff with the addition of KC Smurthwaite, who joins Sarah Sigrest as an assistant coach.
“I am thrilled that KC will be joining us this season. He has a strong background in baseball as the assistant at USU Eastern, where he helped lead that program to their first top 20 ranking in school history,” Johnson said. “His experience in recruiting will bring new ideas to our operation and his familiarity with the state of Utah will help with our efforts to better recruit in-state kids. His enthusiasm, excitement and work ethic will mesh well with Coach Sigrest and me, and we are really looking forward to getting the season started with KC on board.”
Smurthwaite is familiar with Utah State after spending last season as both a Compliance Assistant and a manager for the 2014 softball squad. The native of Billings, Mont., began his college career at Utah State Eastern in Price, Utah. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Southern Utah, graduating in 2013 with a degree in communication studies. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree from Utah State in physical and sport education.
“I would like to thank head coach Steve Johnson and assistant coach Sarah Sigrest for the opportunity to join the coaching staff. I also would like to thank the support of friends and family, Executive Associate Athletics Director Jana Doggett, as well as Associate Athletics Director Jake Garlock and the compliance office,” Smurthwaite said. “I loved working with the players last year. They are a wonderful group of young ladies that have an unlimited potential both on and off the field.”
Prior to coming to Utah State, Smurthwaite was an assistant baseball coach and recruiting coordinator at Utah State Eastern. In 2013, the Golden Eagles received votes in top-20 for the first time in program history.
During his playing career, he was ranked as high as No. 20 for recruiting region by Baseball Northwest. He signed with USU Eastern Utah and injuries cut short his college playing days which led him to the coaching profession.
Smurthwaite assisted Johnson in his first season at the helm of the USU softball team in several ways. Smurthwaite threw batting practice and assisted Johnson in day-to-day duties, including maintaining equipment.
“The softball program is on the up-and-up. It is a process, one that I am familiar with from coaching at USU Eastern. The coaching staff has done an excellent job of putting the pieces in place for success. I hope I can contribute right away to the positive direction of the program. I look forward to the challenges we will have entering our second season in the Mountain West,” Smurthwaite said. Utah State softball concluded the 2014 season with an 18-37 record, including a 6-18 record in its inaugural season in the Mountain West.
Fans can keep up with all of the Aggie softball action at www.utahstateaggies.com. Follow Utah State athletics, including softball, at @USUSoftball, as well as on facebook, at USUSoftball.
