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Coaches,
Today, we honor the NHSBCA Regional Assistant Coaches of the Year, sponsored by Jostens. These coaches were chosen by their peers. Special thanks to NHSBCA Associate Directors Tim Saunders and Ray Benjamin for their assistance.
Next week, we will honor the NHSBCA Fields of the Year Sponsored by Turface.
Our 2024 NHSBCA National Convention Registration is Now Open:
2024 NHSBCA National Convention and Hall and Fame and Awards Banquet Registration.
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NHSBCA REGION 1
COACH OF THE YEAR
CHRIS SHEEHAN
BISHOP HENDRICKEN HS
WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND
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Chris Sheehan is a native of Warwick, RI. A 2009 Bishop Hendricken High School graduate, he was a standout pitcher for the Hawks. Upon graduation, Sheehan continued his career at the University of Rhode Island before a shoulder injury ended his playing days. A kinesiology major at URI and a certified strength and conditioning specialist, he strives to educate players on preparing their bodies for optimal performance and durability. He is also certified by Driveline for Foundations of Pitching and Pitch Design. His approaches to player development have helped the Hendricken Hawks to five state titles during his tenure, including an undefeated season this Spring. He has coached a multitude of players who have gone on to both the college and professional levels, including San Diego Padres Pitcher Michael King, Cleveland Guardians prospect Alex Clemmey, Los Angeles Angels prospect Tucker Flint, and Miami Marlins prospect Caleb Wurster. In addition to coaching the pitchers, he coaches third base, helps with practice organization, manages the program's social media, and runs the Green and Gold Baseball Camps. Chris Sheehan's expertise extends beyond coaching. He holds a master's Degree in Education Administration and is an Assistant Principal at Bishop Hendricken. His previous roles include Assistant Athletic Director, Dean of Students, and Health Educator. But Chris Sheehan is more than just a coach and educator. He is a devoted family man, married to Karissa Sheehan, and the proud father of CJ (3) and Savannah (1).
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Josh Matheny just completed his 20th year of coaching. Originally from West Virginia, Josh played collegiate baseball at Alderson Broaddus University in the former WVIAC conference. He was a four-year starter for the AB Battlers, where he was a two-way player as a third baseman and pitcher. During college, Josh began coaching as a youth coach and volunteer assistant at Philip Barbour High School in Philippi, WV. After graduating in 2004, he was the assistant and pitching coach for Musselman High School in Inwood, WV, for seven seasons. In 2012, Josh was named head baseball coach at Martinsburg High School in Martinsburg, WV, where he coached through the 2017 season. Josh also coached with the Winchester Royals in the Valley Collegiate Baseball League in 2012 and 2013 with his mentor and NHBCA Hall of Famer John Lowery, Sr.
After moving from West Virginia to Virginia, Josh became the head baseball coach at Oscar Smith High School in Chesapeake. The Tigers achieved a school record for wins in the 2018 season and advanced to Regionals for the first time in school history. Coach Matheny has been a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association for 17 years. He is also a long-time member and speaker of the National High School Baseball Coaches Association. Josh is also a former board of directors member for the WV Baseball Coaches Association. Coach Matheny is currently the assistant baseball coach for Great Bridge High School and the head baseball coach of the Tidewater Thunderbirds 2026/2027 team. Josh resides in Chesapeake, VA, with his wife Denise and their children Nathan and Brooke.
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NHSBCA REGION 2
COACH OF THE YEAR
JOSH MATHENY
GREAT BRIDGE HS
CHESAPEAKE, VIRGINIA
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Coach Taylor Wilkins serves as the Assistant Head Coach for both the baseball and softball programs at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Georgia. Notably, the Vikings have achieved consecutive 7A state championships in baseball under his guidance. As he embarks on his 22nd year of coaching at the high school, Coach Wilkins brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his role, and his dedication has been instrumental in the team's success.
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Rick Hardy grew up in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School in 1987. He excelled there playing both football and baseball, earning numerous awards and honors in both sports. He then went on to play several baseball seasons in the Roy Hobbs organization. Rick entered the workforce after high school and chose a masonry career, which he continues to do. Coach Hardy completed his 20th year of coaching baseball in the Woodridge District. He has served as the Assistant Varsity baseball coach at Woodridge High School from 2000-2017 and 2023 until now. Coaching with his longtime friend, Head Coach Dennis Dever, they have accomplished many things together. In those 20 seasons, Coach Hardy has contributed to a 361-205 overall record. During that span, their teams have won 8 League, 9 Sectional, and 4 District championships, along with 2 Regional runners-up. Additionally, in the final State Coaches Poll, their teams have finished four times in the top 10 and 6 times in the top 20. Over 20 Student-athletes participated in collegiate baseball during his time at Woodridge. Coach Hardy has been an integral part of the success of the Woodridge baseball program. The players love playing for him because of his passion and knowledge of the game. He has built lifelong relationships with hundreds of players, making them better and better young men. Coach Hardy teaches these young men how to play the game correctly. Coach Hardy resides in Cuyahoga Falls with his wife, Sharon, and they have three adult children. | |
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NHSBCA REGION 4
COACH OF THE YEAR
RICK HARDY
WOODRIDGE HS
CUYAHOGA FALLS, OHIO
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Don Bright has been an assistant coach at Coon Rapids High School for the past 32 years under Jerry Coe and Matt Mossey. They were Minnesota State HS champions in 1993 and 2008, with three other state tournament appearances. Don grew up in Cyrus, Minnesota, and started playing high school varsity baseball at age 15. He played HS, Legion, College, and Town Ball – retiring from actively playing at age 51. He was a baseball head coach at his alma mater, the University of Minnesota, Morris, in 1972, and in 1975, he was head coach at Chokio-Alberta High School. He has coached youth baseball for many years in Anoka and Coon Rapids and is currently an assistant coach with the Coon Rapids Redbirds Town Ball team. Don loves to golf in his spare time, but his passion is his family and baseball.
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Dustin Jones, an assistant coach at Valley View High School in Jonesboro, Arkansas, has been a key figure in the team's success for nine seasons. His specialty lies in coaching the infielders and baserunners. Under his guidance, the Blazers set an Arkansas State Record for stolen bases in a season with an impressive 230 in 2022. Throughout his tenure, he has contributed to 6 conferences and two regional championships and led the team to 4 consecutive state finals appearances, securing state championships in 2021 and 2024. | |
NHSBCA REGION 6
COACH OF THE YEAR
DUSTIN JONES
VALLEY VIEW HS
JONESBORO, ARKANSAS
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NHSBCA REGION 7
COACH OF THE YEAR
JOE SMITH
CHERRY CREEK HS
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, COLORADO
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Joe Smith, a native of Dublin, Ohio, has dedicated his career to coaching and teaching. He played Club Baseball at Ohio University and graduated with a teaching certificate in integrated social studies. Joe's coaching journey began under Tim Saunders as the Head Freshman Coach for Dublin Coffman High School in Ohio.
For the past twelve years, Joe has been an integral part of Cherry Creek High School's baseball program in Colorado, working under the esteemed coach Marc Johnson. Throughout his tenure at Cherry Creek, Joe has held various positions, including Head JV Coach, Assistant Sophomore and JV Coach, and for the past four years, Associate Head Coach on Varsity. His dedication and leadership were instrumental in the Bruins' journey to secure the 2024 5A state title.
Joe teaches social studies and was recently named Head Coach at Cherry Creek High School. He is married to Alex Smith, and they have two beautiful daughters, Sloan and Sutton. Joe's passion for baseball and commitment to his students and players make him a respected and beloved figure in the Cherry Creek community.
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NHSBCA REGION 8
COACH OF THE YEAR
KEITH POWERS
CORONA HS
CORONA, CALIFORNIA
Powers started coaching for the Panthers during the 2011-2012 season. He grew up in the Corona area and graduated from Corona High in 2006. After high school, he went to Cuesta College and Cal Poly Pomona, where he finished his bachelor's in math and earned his teaching credentials. Coach Powers works mainly with the hitters and outfielders. As a hitting coach, he keeps it simple while emphasizing using the whole field and hitting the pitch at the correct depth. He was there for the Panthers Division 1 title run in 2012 and 2017. However, both championship games ended in a loss for the Panthers. Redemption would come in 2024 when the Panthers could capture the CIF Division 1 and NHSI titles. Coach Powers loves being able to coach and teach in the community he grew up in.
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We look forward to hearing all your great and unique ideas; tsaunders@baseballcoaches.org, 614-578-1864.
In Baseball,
Tim and Ty
tsaunders@baseballcoaches.org, twhittaker@baseballcoaches.org
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P.O. Box 1038
Dublin, Ohio 43017
Phone: +1 614-578-1864
contact_us@baseballcoaches.org
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