Back to the Michigan Wolverines Newsfeed

Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: New coach will keep Michigan baseball in NCAA title conversation

Michigan's search for a new baseball coach started locally.

It eventually expanded, and on Sunday, the university announced it has veteran coach Tracy Smith, who most recently was at Arizona State but has deep ties to the Midwest and Big Ten footprint — and coached Tigers rookie Spencer Torkelson. Smith replaces Erik Bakich, who led Michigan to five NCAA Tournament appearances including the 2019 College World Series, before leaving last month to take the Clemson job.

Smith was head coach at Arizona State from 2015 until his surprising firing in June 2021. He was 201-155 at Arizona State, with four NCAA Tournament appearances, including the last two.