Fell Off Cloud Nine

The Biggest sporting event in Thomas Berry and Britt Johnson's sporting  career has ended.  Lander University where Thomas plays and Britt coaches ended their season Wednesday when they lost at the division II World Series for the second time this week 7-3 to Tampa. It knocks them out of the tournament and they can hang their head high as they will officially finish fifth in the nation. Thomas went 2-4 in the game with a BB and a run scored.

Ten years ago Lander didn't have much of a baseball program until they hired Kermit Smith and in about four years Smith has turned the program into a program if you say Lander everyone in the college baseball world knows where it is.

Since Britt Johnson graduated Rocky Mount high and ECU he has slowly been moving up the coaching ladder first at Nash Central.  He had laid a coaching foundation while coaching Nash County Babe Ruth teams while in high school and college.

Some where when coaches meet other coaches or when other coaches watch other  coaches coach they file it in their memory bank.  I don't know where Britt ran across Kermit Smith but Smith offered Johnson a non paying coaching job at Lander.  It is called paying your dues to get to where you want to be.  This year Britt had a full time top assistant coaching job at Lander and Lander makes all the way to the final eight.  Fifth is the exact position and Britt Johnson had no small part but a Hugh role in Lander rise to cloud nine.

Division II and D3 can be a stepping stone to D1 baseball.  Mike Fox paid his dues at North Carolina Wesleyan and how many times has he taken Carolina to Omaha to the D1 College World Series.  Kermit Smith seems to have IT when it comes to coaching.  He also seems to have IT when he looks for coaches to help him.

This is the first time Lander has landed in the Big Dance of Division II college baseball.  I can guarantee you other colleges have their eyes wide open especially those who might be making coaching changes this year or in the next few years.  Kermit Smith is a hot commodity now in the college coaching world.  If the head man gets a bigger job he will bring along his assistance.  It may not happen this year or next but if a Lander stays a top ten program interest will be high for Smith.

There is always a chance that some smaller school looking for a hot shot assistant could call up Smith and say "Can we talk to you assistant Britt Johnson"?  I don't care who you are if you can coach and can win consistently people will come calling.  Even at 67 years old Coach  K keeps getting pro teams wanting him to their pro team.

Lander today may be disappointed at getting eliminated from the World Series in Cary but their future is bright.  Especially for that assistant coach from Rocky Mount Britt Johnson.   His future may have more  Cloud Nines.