By MATT SWINEA
Special to pressbox1.com

After 14 years at the helm, Bethel College Head Baseball Coach Glenn Hayes said it was time to make a change and has tapped his long-time assistant Rusty Thompson as the new Head Coach. Hayes will remain as the Athletic Director.

"Coach Thompson has been very loyal to Bethel . He is a Bethel grad and has coached with me for the last seven years as an assistant," said Hayes. "It is a pleasure for me to leave our baseball team in Coach Thompson’s hands. He has been an integral part of the success we have had here."

Thompson played four years under Coach Hayes and has spent the last seven as an assistant. He played high school ball at Hardin Co. He said when he got the news he was shocked. "To coach your alma mater is a dream come true," said Thompson. "There is no other place I’d rather be than to be head coach at Bethel College."

The Wildcats are coming off a successful season, winning a school-record 33 games. But winning took the team some time. Hayes reminisced about the time when he took the post 14 years ago: "I had a huge challenge in front of me and our numbers were down. But, I tried to recruit the best student-athletes around the area and built from there. We won 18 games my first year and it was a lot of fun."

Hayes knows he is leaving the program in good shape. "We have a great TranSouth facility to play our games in. We have a good group of players returning and a good recruiting class coming in. How well Coach Thompson does depends on how well I taught him. I feel confident that he will be able to build on Bethel ’s recent success."

Thompson also serves as the school’s Cross Country coach and will remain in that capacity this fall. That position will be re-evaluated after this year.

Thompson is excited about his new position but very complimentary of his mentor. He said that Hayes’ guidance and presence will be missed and realizes he has big shoes to fill.

"It is my hope that we can keep this team on the same course that Coach Hayes has set it on. The core of the team is very strong, even though we are considerably young," said Thompson. "I’m thrilled and up for the challenge."

The Bethel Baseball Team will be working out playing a light schedule in the fall including a doubleheader at AutoZone Park on October 7.