Men's Golf

A Hairston Hall of Famer and 1985 alum of Central Methodist, Fred Smith rejoined the Eagles as Head Men's and Women's Golf Coach on July 1st, 2025.

Smith rejoined the Eagles as Head Golf Coach after coaching in the high school ranks at Boonville High School. He had also been serving as Assistant Superintendent in Boonville since 2018.

Smith previously coached baseball at CMU from 2007 to 2013, where he led the Eagles to 120 wins over a seven-year span. In his final season leading the program, Central finished the year with a 25-13 record and a 19-7 mark in the Heart of America. Smith was named the Heart Coach of the Year, and the Eagles swept both the Heart Regular Season and Conference Tournament titles. It marked the first regular-season title and the second-ever tournament title for the program in school history.

He capped his final year as Head Coach by leading the Eagles to their first-ever NAIA National Tournament appearance in Hattisburg, Mississippi.

In his seven years leading the Eagles, he coached 21 Academic All-Americans, two NAIA Honorable Mention All-Americans, and sent three players on to professional baseball.

Additionally, Smith's programs were among the best in the Champions of Character initiative. In 2012, his squad was honored as the NAIA Champions of Character Baseball team of the Year. Smith received the CMU Champions of Character Coach of the Year in 2008 and 2012 and was also recognized as the Heart Conference Champion of Character Baseball Coach of the Year.

Smith was inducted into the Hairston Hall of Fame as a player (82-85) in 2013. He was selected unanimously for First Team All-Conference recognition three times and was a two-time All-District selection. In 1984, he received All-Region honors and was named to the NAIA All-American Team, becoming the first baseball player in Central's history to earn the distinction of being named an All-American.

In the fall of 1983, Smith was invited to try out for the first United States Olympic Baseball team. After his playing career at Central, he turned down two offers to play at the professional level with the New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers.

Upon earning his undergraduate degree from CMC, Smith began his coaching career as an Assistant Baseball Coach and Residence Hall Director. Smith then taught and coached in public schools, where he coached several district champions, making two appearances in the final four.