Baseball Head Coach Smoke Laval fired after 7 seasons
May 31, 2017
Photo by Joslyn Simmons
North Florida athletics fired Baseball Head Coach Smoke Laval Wednesday afternoon.
Laval came to UNF in 2010 and leaves with a record of 237-160. North Florida finished 33-24 in the 2017 season and was knocked out the ASUN Tournament by FGCU and cross-town rival JU. The Ospreys lost nine out of their last 11 games.
The search for the new Ospreys head coach will be effective immediately after officials announced that Laval “ has been relieved of his duties”.
Laval spent five years as LSU (2002-2006) head coach with a record of 210-109.
The new head coach will be the third in program history.
Marcia Berry • Jun 2, 2017 at 9:20 pm
Coach Smoke will be dearly missed. This is difficult news to hear….Thank you Coach for calling each of the boys personally and being the one to inform them…Your efforts are acknowledged appreciated and will forever be in the hearts of the boys and families you served
Deborah Dewees • Jun 1, 2017 at 7:20 pm
The Athletic Director and anyone else having a hand in the Firing of a wonderful Coach should be ashamed of themselves. Smoke was the best coach, person, teacher and cared about every player. They have made a HUGE mistake. This man will move on and do just fine. UNF however, and the players will suffer the consequences. What a great loss for their baseball team.
Melandy Higdon • Jun 1, 2017 at 4:32 pm
What a mistake UNF my son played there for Smoke for 2 years and I’m just sad he wasn’t there 4. Smoke was an amazing baseball coach as well as a life coach. My son was lucky to have him as a coach and to this day would play for him again. I hope Smoke finds a home where he is appreciated and supported. Good luck Smoke and we love you!!