California Baptist University head coach Mike Smith, along with assistant Bill Baber, has been named the 2005 Speedline/NFCA NAIA Coaching Staff of the Year.
Smith and Baber will be honored at the 2005 NFCA National Convention in Orlando, Fla.
Smith led California Baptist to a 55-7 mark and the Region II title to earn a spot in the NAIA National Tournament where they finished second. The Lancers’ run to the championship game capped a record-setting season that included sole possession of the Golden State Athletic Conference championship for the first time in program history.
The California Baptist staff was also named West Region Coaching Staff of the Year. Other regional winners are as follows:
Southwest Region — HOUSTON BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
Head Coach — Mary Ellen Hall
Assistant Coaches — Roger Willhite, Dr. T. John Alexander
Hall and her staff guided the Huskies to a school-record 51-5 season… She led her team to a seventh straight Red River Athletic Conference title, and it claimed the Region VI crown for the first time… The Huskies advanced to the NAIA National Championship for the fourth straight season and seventh overall.
East Region — THOMAS UNIVERSITY
Head Coach — Vincent Dima
Assistant Coaches — Ashleigh Bailey, Tania Black
In his first season at the school, Dima led Thomas to a third-place finish at the NAIA National Tournament… The Night Hawks won the Region 13 title for the second straight season, and they finished the season with a 45-8 record.
Midwest Region — WILLIAM PENN UNIVERSITY
Head Coach — Mike Christner
Christner led William Penn to a 51-22 overall record, setting the school record for wins for the fourth straight season… He guided the Lady Statesmen to the program’s first NAIA National Tournament appearance after claiming the Region VII tournament title.
Great Lakes Region — OHIO DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY
Head Coach — Marcella Vanlandingham
Assistant Coaches — Shannon Baumbusch, Jessica Simpson, Paul Pacer
Vanlandingham led Ohio Dominican to the program’s second appearance at the NAIA National Tournament… The Panthers, who won the Region IX tournament title, finished the season with a school-record 45-14 mark.
