HOPKINSVILLE, KY – Christian County High School Executive Principal Ken Carver announced Tuesday the appointment of two head coaches who will lead the Tigers’ baseball and softball programs at the New Christian County High School.

Dustin Smith has been named head coach of the baseball program, while Ashlie Ezell has been selected to lead the softball program.

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Dustin Smith – Baseball Coach

Christian County High School has selected Dustin Smith as its inaugural head baseball coach. Smith brings an impressive resume as a player, coach, and mentor, with a proven history of building successful programs and developing student-athletes at the highest levels.

“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Smith to Christian County High School,” said Carver. “His accomplishments as a player, coach, and mentor speak for themselves. More importantly, his commitment to developing young people and building a championship culture makes him the ideal leader for our baseball program as we begin this exciting new chapter.”

A standout pitcher at Northeast High School in Clarksville, Tennessee, Smith earned three varsity letters and compiled a remarkable 31-3 career record while earning District 10-AAA Player of the Year and First Team All-State honors twice. He finished his high school career ranked among Tennessee’s all-time leaders in wins and strikeouts before continuing his career at Austin Peay State University, where he was a four-year letter recipient, two-year conference starter, 2003 All-Ohio Valley Conference selection, and helped lead the Governors to an OVC Championship.

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During that season, he threw one of only six no-hitters in program history and remains among the program’s career leaders in strikeouts and innings pitched. Following his collegiate career, Smith signed a professional contract with the Detroit Tigers organization in June 2003.

Smith began his coaching career in 2006 as head baseball coach at Northeast High School, where he transformed a program that had won just two games the previous season into a consistent winner, compiling 218 victories, six 20-win seasons, and the school’s first region championship since 1997.

After joining Clarksville Academy as an assistant coach in 2018, he was named head coach in 2020 and has since guided the program to 147 wins, an average of more than 24 victories per season, annual state tournament appearances, and a State Runner-Up finish in 2025. Overall, Smith has led his teams to seven state tournament appearances, including six consecutive trips, and captured three region championships during his coaching career.

“I am excited to be given the opportunity to lead this program and work with the student-athletes.” Smith said. “Throughout this process I have seen the importance of this new school from everyone I have been in contact with. We will hit the ground running and create an environment that will be well respected throughout the state. Baseball is one of my passions and I look forward to getting involved in the baseball community and creating great relationships. Go Tigers!!!!”

Coach Smith and his wife, Erica, have been married for more than 21 years and are the proud parents of their daughter, Tenley, who is 15 years old.

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Ashlie Ezell – Softball Coach

Christian County High School is proud to announce the hiring of Ashlie Ezell as Head Softball Coach of the Lady Tigers softball program. Ezell brings a wealth of coaching experience, a passion for developing and mentoring student-athletes, and a deep commitment to the Christian County community as she takes the helm of the Lady Tigers.

“We are excited to welcome Coach Ezell as the leader of our Lady Tigers softball program,” said Christian County High School Executive Principal, Ken Carver. “Her commitment to developing young athletes, extensive coaching experience, and passion for the game make her an outstanding choice to lead our program into the future.”

A native of Falkville, Alabama, Ezell was a standout multi-sport athlete and First Team All-State softball player at Falkville High School. Throughout her athletic career, she earned multiple All-Area and All-District honors and received numerous Most Valuable Player awards, establishing herself as one of the area’s premier softball players.

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Since moving to Hopkinsville in 2010, Ezell has become deeply involved in the local softball community. Most recently, she served as an assistant coach at Christian County High School after spending six seasons in the 8th District, including four years as an assistant coach and two years as a head coach, helping develop student-athletes and build competitive programs.

In addition to her high school coaching experience, Ezell has served as head coach of Kentucky Chrome 2034 for nearly four years. Under her leadership, the program has been ranked No. 1 in Kentucky for two consecutive years and currently holds a No. 2 national ranking. She has also spent the past seven years helping coach competitive travel softball teams, including teams that have competed on the national stage.

Ezell is eager to build a program centered on excellence, growth, and opportunity.

“I am honored and excited to serve as the Head Softball Coach at Christian County High School,” said Ezell. “My goal is to build a culture that develops confident, skilled, and resilient student-athletes who are prepared to succeed not only on the softball field, but in every aspect of life. I look forward to working with our players, families, and community as we continue building something special together.”

Ezell and her husband, Tyson, a Hopkinsville native, are the proud parents of two daughters, Talyn and Emersyn, both of whom are active participants in the Christian County softball program.

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