John Smith announced on Friday that the 2010 season would be his last as head baseball coach at Sacramento State, capping a 32-year run.

“It feels right,” Smith said. “I’ve been contemplating retirement for the last three or four years, and it’s not because I don’t enjoy what I’m doing, because I do. I’m going to miss the heck of out it.”

Smith said one of his goals was to leave the team and the program in good condition, a condition in which the next head coach could work and be successful.

Smith has compiled 861 wins in his time as head coach, the most of any Hornet head coach. He took over head coaching duties in November of 1978.

At the time, Smith said he was told his coaching position would only be for one year. He said he was told the university was going to look for a more experienced head coach.

One year turned into two, two turned into three, and three turned into 32.

“When year two came, then I started having aspirations of staying here,” he said. “By year three, when I finally got the job full-time, then my goal was to try to stay here as long as I could. I guess after a while I thought, ‘Man, it’d be nice if I could stay here and coach for 20 years.'”

Kansas baseball coach Ritch Price, who considers Smith his closest friend in the game, said he is happy for the Hornet and friend.

“I’m thrilled for him,” Price said. “John has had a hall of fame career.”

Sac State Athletic Director Terry Wanless said Smith’s efforts as a Hornet should not be overlooked.

“We really need to applaud and appreciate the loyalty he has shown and to the Hornets,” he said.Some of Smith’s accomplishments include the 1986 and 1988 Division II College World Series appearances, 16 winning seasons, 11 seasons of 30 or more wins and four seasons of 40 or more wins.

Price said he thinks the retirement couldn’t have come at a better time.

“I encouraged him to take his time and when he made his decision, that he felt good about it,” Price said.

Reggie Christiansen, associate head coach, said he would remember Smith for what he did behind the scenes.

“He worked extremely hard; harder than anyone I have ever been associated with,” Christiansen said. “Making sure that he can treat players the way he wants to treat them ? that’s the biggest thing.”

Christiansen said Smith taught him a lot.

“He’s a mentor of mine,” Christiansen said. “He’s taught me a lot about not only the game of baseball, but I think more importantly, about life – balance, in terms of family and baseball and not getting caught up in baseball becoming your job 24 hours a day.”

Josh Powers, an infielder for Sac State, said Smith’s retirement could actually help the team.

“I think this year it will help the guys,” Powers said. “It’ll give them a little extra ‘humph,’ you know? Win one for the Gipper.”

The search for Smith’s successor has not begun, Wanless said.

“We’re not even dealing with that at the moment,” he said.

Smith said he has no regrets about his time as head coach and has one message for his players.

“The one thing I preached to our guys who have been here is: ‘Once you’re a Hornet, you’re a Hornet for life,'” he said.

Dustin Nosler can be reached at [email protected].