One of the main attractions to Coach’s Bar & Grill — a new American-style restaurant in Stevensville — is the food fresh from the restaurant’s large Southern Pride Smoker.

Baby back ribs, beef brisket, Uncle John’s wings, hand-pulled pork — no matter what chunk of meat you choose, it all tastes better coming out of a smoker.

“The smoker’s been huge,” said Jeannine Van Liere, who owns the restaurant with her husband. “People are raving about our smoked meat.”

The Van Lieres opened Coach’s in August at 2528 W. Glenlord Road (corner of Glenlord Road and Red Arrow Highway). The building used to be home of Nacho Papa’s, a Mexican restaurant also operated by the Van Lieres.

“We wanted to change the name and the identity,” Jeannine said.

Why name it Coach’s?

The walls of the restaurant are decorated with hundreds of photos of collegiate and professional sports coaches, including current Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly, Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer and Boston Celtics legend Red Auerbach, to name a few.

Tim Van Liere is a former high school basketball coach.

“We wanted it to be personal,” Jeannine said.

The menu, which includes appetizers, lunch and dinner selections, also takes on a sports theme.

For instance the “John Wooden” wrap is made with grilled chicken, peppered bacon, avocado, lettuce and tomato and drizzled with barbeque ranch dressing.

The “Charlie Weis,” described on the menu as a “sloppy mess,” is smoked pork and peppered bacon stacked on a juicy patty with cheddar cheese and topped with onion rings and barbecue. Add chili for $1 more.

“We had some fun with (the menu),” Jeannine said.

All sandwiches can be made into a wrap.

Coach’s also has an extensive selection of beer, including several local microbrews, and wine. There’s a large bar area, separate dining room and private dining room for parties and other special events. Coach’s also caters.

If you want to watch the big game, Coach’s has 18 high-definition televisions and access to NFL Sunday Ticket — meaning it gets all NFL games.

Jeannine described Coach’s as having a family-friendly and casual atmosphere.

“It is like your neighborhood bar/restaurant,” she said.

Coach’s is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call Coach’s at 269-429-2600 or visit the website coachsbarngrill.com.