The Mainland Regional High School baseball program has a new leader.

Billy Kern had been the program's head baseball coach since the 2012 season at his alma mater, but stepped down in June to take the school's Athletic Director job, replacing Mike Gatley who retired.

Kern, a 2003 Mainland graduate, helped the Mustangs become one of the area's top baseball programs, winning the 2014 state Group III championship and the South Jersey Group III title in 2023.

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Mainland Regional Board of Education announced on Monday that former Delsea head baseball coach Joe Smith has been approved to replace him.

"Mainland has a great athletic and school culture," Smith told me in a text message. Many great coaches and teams have competed at a high level for years. I'm excited to be a part of that culture now and hope to continue in its success."

Smith knows plenty about setting culture and having success

Smith is one of the most accomplished coaches in South Jersey, serving two stints as the Crusaders' head coach and was also the head coach at Williamstown, compiling a record of 266-119-1 in 15 seasons.

His accomplishments include a South Jersey Group 3 championships in 2005, 2022, and 2024 while at Delsea and the 2015 S.J. Group IV title at Williamstown.

Smith has become known in South Jersey for his small-ball style, attention to detail, trick plays, and competitive nature.

"My teams are all about hard work and attention to detail," Smith explained. We pride ourselves in playing hard and fundamentally sound. Obviously, we are known for small ball but there is a lot more to it."

Smith made headlines for a trick play that helped Delsea win a game in 2024

His 2024 Delsea team made national headlines for a trick play that ended a game back in April, that ended up being featured as a SportsCenter Top 10 play of the day.

Many of you know I coach the Atlantic Shore 13U All-Star program and have had Coach Smith come to teach and speak to my teams, with many of the parents and players coming away impressed with his attention to detail and passion for the game.

"I'm really excited to coach these kids," Smith stated. I have always been fortunate to have a great coaching staff because, without all of them, it just doesn't work as well. I'm looking forward to working with some of the staff that has been part of that culture."

Mainland returns plenty of talent for the 2025 season

Mainland returns a solid core from the team that finished 2024 with a record of 20-6, winning the CAL championship, including pitchers Jake Lodgek (Miami), Finn Haines (Army), and Luca Bruno (St. Peter's).  The team also features returners Chase Camac, Brady Arena, Jake Blum, and Colton Donohune.

They will have plenty of competition for playing time, with guys like Christian Madamba, Brayden Simon, Damon Herzchel, Anthony Nodado, Ryan Bradley, Will Hickman, Tyler Buccafurni, Chris Layton, Dante Zappala, and John Franchini vying for playing time.

These South Jersey High Schools are in the Top 200 Best New Jersey Public High School Rankings

For the 2024-25 Academic Year, the research team at Niche has gathered information on the 491 Public High Schools in New Jersey. Inside the Top 200 Rankings are these 17 South Jersey High Schools

Gallery Credit: Josh Hennig/Townsquare Media

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