Reggie Christiansen, associate head baseball coach, was named the successor to John Smtih as Sacramento State baseball head coach.

Director of athletics Terry Wanless made the announcement and said it was not only Christiansen’s on-the-field work that made the decision easy, it was also the way he helped his players off the field.

“Most importantly, I think he’s done a great job of mentoring student-athletes, along with Coach Smith,” he said. “When (head coach John Smith) decided this was going to be his last season, I really looked at where we were and what contributions Reggie had made and really felt like that this would be a seamless transition.”

Christiansen, 34, has previous head coaching experience. Before Sac State, he led the South Dakota State Jackrabbits for four seasons – turning a perennial 12-win team into a 34-win team in his final season.

Prior to South Dakota State, Christiansen was an assistant coach at the University of Kansas under Ritch Price.

“I’m obviously thrilled, excited,” Christiansen said. “I’m very thankful that President (Alexander) Gonzalez and Dr. Wanless believe in me enough to give me an opportunity to be the next coach. Coach Smith has given me a great opportunity – bringing me out here and they feel that I’ve done enough to deserve it.”

Christiansen said he is grateful for the chance to lead the Hornets on the diamond.

“I’m very supportive of Dr. Wanless’ decision to move in that direction,” Smith said. “I think Reggie brings the right chemistry for the program to continue going in the direction we’re going in right now.”

Smith said Christiansen is the best man for the job.

“I think he’s an outstanding young coach,” Smith said. “He has the knowledge to perform this job at a high degree of excellence. Without question, he will continue the tradition that I’ve set forth in the sense of trying to set a good example of integrity and loyalty to the university.”

The players have taken favorably to this move.

Josh Powers, senior infielder, said the move was expected but good to hear.

“Just the uncertainty of having to go through the job-hiring process and go through the community panel – it’s just nice to hear it’s official and we know where the program is going in the future,” Powers said.

Powers said he thinks the program is in good hands.

“I feel like from years past to last year, he (Christiansen) made a positive difference,” Powers said. “I look forward to the program doing well in the future. I want to see Sac State athletics do well – especially the baseball team. With Reggie as the head coach, they’re just going to continue to get better.”

Smith announced his retirement on Oct. 2, effective at the end of the 2010 season.

So, how does Christiansen deal with the notion of replacing a man who has been the face of Sac State baseball for the last 31 years?

“I can’t get caught up in thinking about, ‘What would he have done here?'” Christiansen said. “I just need to be my own person. I think that’s why coach Smith and I got along so well. We are similar, yet, at the same time, we respect each other’s differences. I think that’s why this thing has worked out.”

Dustin Nosler can be reached at [email protected]