Coastal Carolina assistant Brendan Dougherty began his collegiate playing career by winning a JUCO National Championship and every stop since then has been no stranger to success either. After transferring to Coastal and at the conclusion of his time as a Chanticleer infielder, Dougherty embarked on a life in coaching that has brought him back to the coast and to his alma mater. Dougherty recently took some time for DP to answer some questions for our viewers, enjoy his responses! DP-How many years have you been in coaching? What got you into the business? BD-It is hard to believe for me, but I have been coaching now for 10 years. My dad coached High School basketball for 12 years before he got into the FBI so I would have to say he got me started and my High School coach Vince Ardery really had a passion for teaching the game and he was an innovator at the high school level. DP-What is the most rewarding thing about being a baseball coach?  BD-The most rewarding thing for me is seeing a kid develop. That is why I wanted to get into coaching to develop and try to see kids come into your program and allow them to fail and succeed and ultimately develop into successful players on and off the field. DP-What does the term "coach" mean to you?  BD- ‘Coach’ to me is someone that is a teacher and a mentor to anyone he is in contact with. This job never stops, you are always working and trying to direct kids to be successful on and off the field and prepare them for life after college and some of them get the chance to move on professionally. DP-What is something you wish everyone knew about your profession?  BD-It is not a Monday through Friday recreational job. It is 24 hours 7 days a week. DP-We all know there is very little money in getting started in coaching at the college level yet the time involved is mind-boggling, why did you do it? BD-I wanted to stay in the game after I got done playing and I felt this was the best way I could. I played for a lot of great coaches in my career and I wanted to follow in their footsteps. I never got in it for the money. DP-Describe your various coaching experiences, from how it began to some of your highlights while there and how you ended up back at Coastal: BD-I really owe getting into college baseball to Mike Kennedy who offered me a job right out of college. To begin my career at Elon and working for Mike for 4 years was special. I had an opportunity to go to Auburn and coach in the SEC for a year and that was a great experience for me also. I then moved on to The United States Military Academy for two of the best years of my life. Finally, Coach Gary Gilmore called and offered me this chance and there was no way I could turn it down. DP-You coach at your alma mater, tell us what that means to you. BD-It means a lot to me. The opportunity to work with the guy you played for means everything. Coach Gilmore has given me a lot in my career. This was another opportunity to come back and work at Top 25 School in the country it was a no-brainer for me. DP-When you hear the expression "old school baseball", what does that phrase mean to you?  BD-I really don’t think there is such thing as old school baseball. The core of the game has not changed much over the long haul. Yes there have been a lot of other things that have changed but not the real core of the game. It will always be old school to me. DP-What is the definition of a "student-athlete"?  BD-Student-athlete to me is someone who is willing to do what it takes to be successful on and of the field. DP-What MLB feat in history do you wish you’d been inside the stadium to witness and why?  BD-When the Phillies won the 1980 World Series. Huge Phillies fan if you could not tell. DP-What is your most memorable experience as a baseball coach?  BD-I have two. First is being able to be a part of a team that was the first in school history to host a regional and the two years I spent at West Point. DP-Who has made the greatest impression on you as a baseball coach and why?  BD-Coach Gilmore, the passion and competitiveness that he brings to the field everyday showed me what it takes to be successful as a player and now as a coach. DP-Who are the best three players you have ever coached against?  BD-Aaron Hill-LSU, Jonathan Papelbon-Miss. St, Justin Owens-Coastal Carolina DP-What does it mean to be a good teammate and is that important?  BD-To be a good teammate is someone who shows up everyday on and off the field. DP-What do you see as the biggest difference in high school-aged players today versus when you played?  BD-They don’t play enough. They always need a coach there to hit them fungoes or throw BP. Get a group together and just go play! DP-Now switching gears, think back to your days as a baseball player, please list any notable accolades:  BD-College was a third team JUCO All-American, High School was All-State, Won a National Championship in Junior College. DP-What is your greatest high school thrill?  BD-My 1993 team I played on got beaten in the state championship game we were ranked 9th in the country at one point. Good group of guys. DP-What is your greatest thrill, or two, beyond high school? BD-Being able to come back to Coastal and be a part of the success that Coach Gilmore and Kevin Schnall had built prior to me getting here and trying to keep Coastal going in the right direction. DP-Who were …

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Francis Marion skipper Art Inabinet recently took some time for Diamond Prospects to speak on topics ranging from his Junior College background to his thoughts on how the recent NCAA rules for Division I schools will effect DII programs. DP-How many years have you been in coaching? What got you into the business? AI-18 years in college coaching; 4 as an assistant and 14 as a head coach. Horace Turbeville (Winthrop) encouraged me into college coaching after my playing days, spent two years as a graduate assistant working for him. DP-What is the most rewarding thing about being a baseball coach? AI-The relationships that are built with the players that can last a lifetime. DP-What does the term "coach" mean to you? AI-The coaches are the leaders of the team. It is our job to teach, motivate, discipline, monitor and ultimately guide our student-athletes to success both on and off the field DP-What is something you wish everyone knew about your profession? AI-The amount of time and hard work baseball players put into being a student-athlete. Our players are responsible for conditioning, weight training, practicing, involvement with community service events, study hall, and our guys also help out with fundraising. They also go to class for 15 hours a week and are responsible for tests and other projects that must be completed. DP-We all know there is very little money in getting started in coaching at the college level yet the time involved is mind-boggling, why did you do it? AI-This is easy for me, I look forward to going to work everyday. There seem to be new challenges, almost daily, when dealing with 18-22 year old young men, there is never a dull moment. Coaching is similar to anything else you enjoy, if it’s fun you will find a way to stay involved. DP: How do you balance the time demands of coaching and your family? AI-My wife, Kim, is a former college softball coach, so she understands the time involved in being a coach. Our son, Reese (6), will go to work with me sometimes just so we can be sure to spend time together. DP-When you hear the expression "old school baseball", what does that phrase mean to you? AI-This is a great question. We consider ourselves at Francis Marion as a program that literally is "old school". We always put the program at the forefront of everything, including the individual. We often speak about how the program is bigger than anyone associated with it, including the coaches. Our style of play is "old school" in that we, first and foremost, structure our philosophy around pitching and defense. We are firm believers in that if the other team does not score we will never lose. DP-What is the definition of a "student-athlete"?  AI-This is a player who truly engages in both the rigors of being a student and an athlete. We remind our players often you are a student first and an athlete second. DP-How has your junior college background helped you at FMU? AI-It helped in the knowledge there are a lot of JUCO players out there that can help any program. As a result, we recruit JUCO players at Francis Marion University, when we feel we need experience at certain positions or on the team in general. DP-Describe your World Series experience a couple of years back: AI-It was a week of fun, food and playing baseball. It is something that our players can all be proud of and strive to attain. Those memories will last a lifetime. DP-What is your most memorable experience as a baseball coach?  AI-When we won the 2006 South Atlantic Regional and went on to play in the D-II World Series. DP-Who has made the greatest impression on you as a baseball coach and why?  AI-Horace Turbeville persuaded me into this profession and helped to mold me as a coach. The lessons he taught me go further than the knowledge of baseball into the very make-up of who I am as a person. So now it is my opportunity to pass on those that come through our program the same core values that he shared with me. DP-Who are the best three players you have coached? AI-DeComba Connor (North Greenville College) 4th round, Dylan Owen (Francis Marion University) 20th round and Erin Jones (Francis Marion University) 31st round (did not sign) DP-What does it mean to be a good teammate and is that important? AI-It is very important to be a good teammate, because it can contribute positive vibes for team chemistry. Good teammates always put the team first and themselves just as a part of the team. What constitutes a good teammate? Always run balls out, do not make excuses, always give your best and prepared to work. DP-Do you have any superstitions? If so, what? AI-I may wear the same pair of game pants over and over (without washing) until we lose a game. DP-What do you see as the biggest difference in high school-aged players today versus when you played?  AI-Most high school players today only play one sport and if it is baseball, they will now play year round with Fall and Summer ball. DP-Now switching gears, think back to your days as a baseball player, please list any notable accolades:  AI-While playing at Winthrop, I had 13 assists in one game versus Campbell (as a third baseman). At the time it was only 1 assist shy of the NCAA record for assists. Hit 3 homeruns in a doubleheader versus UNC-Asheville. DP-What is your greatest high school thrill? AI-When we won the state championship in baseball in 1982 at Calhoun Academy (24-1). DP-What is your greatest thrill, or two, beyond high school? AI-While deer hunting in 2004 harvested two deer with one shot, there was another one behind the one I was shooting at and to my surprise got an eight point and a six point! DP-Who were the three best players you played against? AI-Kirt …

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DP Spotlight-David Beckley: The Citadel’s David Beckley starred as a prep at Stratford HS then spent time as an all-conference collegiate infielder for the Bulldogs. He found his future niche in the coaching profession with high school stops at James Island, Barnwell and Berkeley before returning home to the military academy over the past the eight baseball seasons. In his Diamond Spotlight, Beckley provides DP responses on a number of questions. Get to know Beckley better here: DP-How many years have you been in coaching? What got you into the business?  DB-This year will start the beginning of my 13th year in coaching. Upon graduation of The Citadel, I coached one year at James Island High school, one year at Barnwell High School, three years at Berkeley High School, and I am starting my 8th year at The Citadel. I got into coaching because of my love for sports. I have so much respect for the coaches in my life. I wanted to influence ballplayers the way my coaches influenced me when I was a player. DP-What is the most rewarding thing about being a baseball coach?  DB-I get to coach at my alma mater and develop relationships with ballplayers that last forever!  DP-What does the term "coach" mean to you?  DB-We are teachers but we take it way beyond the classroom, or in our case, the baseball field. We teach fundamentals, techniques, and strategies, as well as life skills that will help them cope in the real world.  DP-You spent five years coaching at the high school level. In what ways did working with prep athletes help you when you made the move back to college baseball? DB-First, I was able to get my feet wet in regards to experience. Secondly, I knew the area real well and knew who some of the better players were, as well as some of the sleepers who may not shine at just one evaluation. The transition was pretty smooth. I knew The Citadel system, and not many things had changed, so on the field I felt back at home.  DP-What is something you wish everyone knew about your profession? DB-The long hours, the long drives, the time that you miss with family, and the work that we do in the office…so many people think that all we do is play games. But, I wouldn’t want to do anything else!  DP-We all know there is very little money in getting started in coaching at the college level yet the time involved is mind-boggling, why did you do it? DB-Hard to describe…I love competing, it’s what motivates me! I really enjoy the relationships that are built, and I love seeing our guys succeed!  DP-Describe your coaching experience at The Citadel, from how it began to some of your highlights while there.  DB-It all started in June of 2002 when Coach Jordan called me after one of our legion games at Berkeley High School and I jumped in! We won the regular season in 2002! It’s always nice to beat some of the "Big Boys"! Since 2002 we have beaten: USC, Nebraska, Miami, Oregon State, NC State, Louisville (just off the top of my head). Nothing to this point has topped winning the SoCon tournament in 2004! DP-You chose a military school to play at and now coach there too. What is the benefit of obtaining a degree from a military school? DB-The military is the world’s best teacher in regards to discipline, respect, time management, organization, dealing with stress and leadership. People out in the real world really like a graduate who has these qualities already instilled in them. Not everybody needs it as much as others, but it can’t hurt anyone! If you graduate from The Citadel you instantly join a brotherhood for life and Citadel guys tend to take care of each other (Citadel grads hire each other). I think you can get the best of both worlds here…great baseball, great education and take away with you some real life skills that will be needed to make it in whatever field you choose! I really appreciate the opportunity to showcase The Citadel and all it stands for! DP-You get to work at your alma mater, tell us what that means to you: DB-I love The Citadel and all it stands for! It means the world to me! This is where my heart is…I bleed Citadel blue, and to have the opportunity to coach here is a true blessing! DP: How do you balance the time demands of coaching and your family? DB-It is hard! I have a very understanding wife! But, I miss a lot of valuable time with my kids. Basically, I balance my time very wisely…when I’m not recruiting or at work, I spend time with the family. DP-When you hear the expression "old school baseball", what does that phrase mean to you?  DB-The Citadel Baseball and our style!  DP-What is the definition of a "student-athlete"?  DB-Person who understands the importance of academics and has the ability to balance their time to fulfill requirements to play. DP-What MLB feat in history do you wish you’d been inside the stadium to witness and why?  DB-Not sure? But, I know the one I want to be at hopefully this year?? Cubs vs. whoever in the 2008 World Series!! We’ve gotta a chance!! DP-What is your most memorable experience as a baseball coach?  DB-Winning 2004 SoCon Tournament DP-Who has made the greatest impression on you as a baseball coach and why?  DB-Fred Jordan. I have been with Coach Jordan a long time! I played for him at Stratford HS for three years, four years at The Citadel and am starting my 8th year as a coach. He has taught me so much and I am so grateful he gave me a chance here at The Citadel! Chris Lemonis (now at Louisville) taught me the ropes and showed me the way. Dan McDonnell (also at Louisville) inspired me as a player and inspired me to coach! DP-As you noted, your history with …

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