Chelsea&8217;s new head baseball coach is looking to take the Hornets a step further this coming season.

Alabaster native Jason Smith will take over the CHS program this spring. While the team has seen success in the Class 4A playoffs over the past few years, Smith said it&8217;s time to move forward.

&8220;I&8217;m looking forward to some great things here,&8221; Smith said. &8220;We&8217;re really hoping to build a great program that knows how to win.&8221;

Smith began work for the coming baseball season the moment he set foot in Chelsea, CHS athletic director Wade Waldrop said.

&8220;His work ethic over the first couple weeks that he has been here has been phenomenal,&8221; Waldrop said.

Smith graduated high school in 1997 and went on to play baseball at the University of West Alabama for three years. He brings coaching experience at two different schools – including a stint with storied high school baseball coach Jerry Boatner.

Boatner has garnered 10 state titles and over 800 wins in his 28 years of coaching – experience that Smith said he has learned a lot from.

&8220;Being able to learn under him has really helped me in the way I coach,&8221; Smith said.

The Chelsea coach said he will key in on a number of issues with his team in this coming season.

&8220;The keys we will look at include responsibility, discipline and attention to detail,&8221; Smith said.

In addition to his baseball duties Smith will also help coach the Hornets&8217; football team under Waldrop.

&8220;I enjoy coaching football and look forward to doing it here at Chelsea,&8221; Smith said. &8220;I think I can really relate to the players.&8221;