St. Mary’s Hires Darian Hardaway As New Head Baseball Coach
St. Mary’s Athletics is pleased to announce the appointment of Darian Hardaway as the new Head Coach of the Varsity Baseball program.
Coach Hardaway brings a genuine enthusiasm for the game of baseball, and a love for mentoring young people. “ We have hired the right coach to lead our baseball program,” said Jamie Young, St. Mary’s Athletic Director. “ Darian understands what it takes to prepare kids to play at a high level, and we are thrilled to have him at St. Mary’s.”
Darien is a 2009 graduate of Tucker High School, in Tucker, GA where he played baseball for Bobby Gonzalez. After his high school career was over, he decided to play baseball at Division 1 Alcorn State University, in Lorman MS. He was redshirted his first season and returned the following year to become a major contributor in the school winning the Southwestern Atlantic Conference Championship. In 2011, he transferred to Division II Saint Augustine University in Raleigh, NC, where he continued his college career.
In 2011, Darien was limited by injury to eleven starts during the season. After undergoing surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon, he return in the 2012- 2013 season and achieved plenty of success. During that season he earned Second- Team All-Conference award.
Darien graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. In May 2015 he signed a contract to play Independent baseball for the Garden City Wind, in Garden City, KS. In 2015 he started working for D-BAT Baseball and Softball Academy where instructed all ages mainly one-on-one lessons and baseball camps.
In the Fall of 2016, he became Head JV and assistant Varsity coach for Pinecrest Academy. Where JV went 9-4 with finishing the previous year winless, and Varsity participated in GA state playoffs for the first time in school history.
In the Summer of 2017, he became the Head coach for a prolific summer program Team Rawlings, with the 16U Stars. Being mentored by Academy Manager/Owner Todd Green who was a catcher in the Major Leagues for 12 seasons. In addition he was able to work alongside Matt Dickson who has 9 years of college coaching experience, and Chuck Lusted, who is a member of The Georgia Southern Sports Hall Of Fame, drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1981.
Darien is eager to pass on his love of the game and his experiences to equip the next generation of talent for the St. Mary Crusaders.
St. Mary’s School is a co-ed, independent, Catholic, college prepatory school, teaching grades 5-12.
St. Mary’s School inspires all students to discover their talents in a uniquely responsive Catholic environment.
For more information, please contact Sarah Primerano, Advancement and Alumni Relations Officer or Jamie Young, Athletic Director at jyoung@smschool.us
