What they’re saying about ...Mike Hendrix

Hendersonville High head baseball coach Mike Hendrix has coached 52 college baseball signees and seven players who were selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.(Photo: Craig Harris/Hendersonville Star News)

Hendersonville High head baseball coach Mike Hendrix is being inducted into the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association (TBCA) Hall of Fame on Saturday. Feedback from his current and former players, assistant coaches, administrators, opposing coaches and other colleagues is as follows …

This honor speaks volumes as to the man Coach Hendrix is and the legacy and impact that he has had on the Hendersonville High School baseball program, baseball in the state of Tennessee and the thousands of ballplayers that he has coached. Coach Hendrix has the ability to allow his players to play loose no matter the situation, and that allows them to want to do anything for him. I wouldn’t be the man I am today without his guidance and friendship. He taught me how to be a good teammate and how to respect the game. (The substate win over McGavock on) May 20, 1994, will always be a turning point for the Commando program. I will always share that memory of making it to our first state tournament with coach, and he hasn’t looked back since. Congrats to Coach Hendrix and the program on the new field and the (TBCA) Hall of Fame induction. Go Commandos.

Jeremy Townes, former Hendersonville High pitcher/rightfielder and 1994 graduate

Mike has been someone I have respected since I started at Mt. Juliet in 2000. Our teams have always enjoyed competing against his teams. I feel that our programs have had a great rivalry for several years, and we have competed against each other for District 9-AAA championships several times. Mike has always shown class, and his induction into the (TBCA) Hall of Fame is well-deserved.

Mark Purvis, Mt. Juliet head baseball coach

The biggest thing I've noticed about Coach Hendrix is just how much he cares. He cares about each and every one of us, whether we hit .500 or never see the field. His main goal is to prepare us to be good men, husbands and fathers. If we turn out to become pretty good baseball players, that's just an extra. He is a great man and is truly deserving of being inducted in to the TBCA Hall of Fame.

Cooper Brenning, Hendersonville High senior catcher

Mike and I go back. He played at Overton as a player, and I played at the old Madison High School. We played against each other in high school. Then, he went to Belmont, and I went (to Vanderbilt). So, we played against each other again. First of all, Mike is an outstanding person. Second, Mike was an outstanding player at Overton and Belmont. Third, he’s been an outstanding high-school baseball coach. He’s dedicated his whole life to teaching and coaching. I have the utmost respect for Mike as a person, as a player and as a coach.

Gene Menees, TSSAA assistant executive director over baseball

Mike is a class act. He cares about the game of baseball and his players. He treated me like a son. He kept it loose and let me be myself as a player, and it made me better. He loves the game of baseball, and it shows in his coaching. I appreciate the time I had playing for him, and he deserves this honor.

Wilson Tucker, former Hendersonville High rightfielder and 2003 graduate

First and foremost, Mike Hendrix is a person who loves working with young people. He found that calling through teaching and coaching of baseball. He has had a positive effect on the lives of countless young people over the course of his 39-year career here at Hendersonville High School. His passion for the game of baseball and the young men he coaches is undeniable. In addition, he has worked tirelessly with the community of Hendersonville to promote baseball to all age levels of children. In addition, he has worked with the parks department to continually improve the facilities for youth baseball.

Bob Cotter, Hendersonville High School principal

I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to play for Coach Hendrix. A lot of my fondest baseball memories are from the years that I spent playing for him. He has had a lot of great teams and helped several guys develop their talents so that they might continue their careers at the next level.

Jeff Parsons, former Hendersonville High pitcher/rightfielder and 1996 graduate

I have had the good fortune of knowing Coach Hendrix from both sides of the field. I played against his teams in high school, coached against them later and now enjoy working alongside him. Two things stand out about him and his teams. One, as an opponent, you tend to look at other programs, especially rivals, to see what they are doing that is successful and to see how what you are doing compares. In all those years playing and coaching against his teams, I heard a lot of people describe him as unorthodox, but one thing I always noticed about every one of his teams was how his players loved playing for him. His guys played hard, enjoyed playing and subsequently performed at a high level. Now that I work for him, there is another thing that really stands out to me. He allows people to do what it is they are best suited to do. He lets players play and coaches coach. He puts people in a position to do what they can do and be successful, then let's them do it without micro-managing or over-coaching or interfering unnecessarily. He creates an environment where people are free to perform without a feeling of looking over their shoulder all the time.

lay Sanders, Hendersonville High assistant baseball coach

Mike Hendrix is a baseball man and very deserving of this honor, and I am very glad for him. I have known Mike since I got my start in coaching over 30 years ago, as we coached together for three years (at Knox Doss Junior High), and our teams have played over the years, including in the state tournament. Mike is a hard worker, and his teams have always play hard and with a lot of class, which is a true reflection of him. Congratulations Mike.

Mack Hawks, Oakland High head baseball coach

Mike and I grew up in South Nashville, and I watched him play football and baseball at Overton High School and baseball at Belmont. Baseball has been a passion for him, and we were fortunate to have him lead our program at HHS. My three sons (Ty, Tommy and Joey) all played for him, and he had an impact on them and our family. He is certainly deserving of this prestigious recognition. He has impacted many lives in his career.

Paul Decker, former Hendersonville High principal

Coach Hendrix is not only a coach to his players but treats them as family. He was always there for me in my four years at Hendersonville, and to this day, I still can say he is a role model to me. He being inducted to the (TBCA) Hall of Fame is more than deserved. He's one of if not the best coach in the state of Tennessee, not only for his achievements in baseball but for helping young men grow into adults on and off the field.

Zac Curtis, former Hendersonville High pitcher and 2010 graduate

Coach Hendrix is the true meaning of what coach stands for. In a society where successful coaches are sold to the highest bidder, he has remained loyal to the Commandos through the best and worst times of our program. His career of 26 years is a testament to his loyalty and dedication to HHS and all of the young men whose lives have been touched by such a wonderful person. There is not a day that goes by that he is not excited about coaching baseball and making a difference in the lives of each and every young man on the team. I have known Coach Hendrix for 16 years in the many roles that I have served at HHS. The biggest compliment I can give him is the fact that no matter where I go or where I’ve been, someone always has something positive to say about him. He is one of the most respected coaches in the state of Tennessee. What I admire the most about Coach Hendrix is how much he loves his family. He has always kept a balance between what is important at home and on the field. He is a wonderful person who I am honored to call my colleague, but most of all, one of my best friends.

Stacia Dean, Hendersonville High physical education department head

Mike Hendrix is solid. As a player, you always knew what he expected out of you, and you knew you could always count on the best from him. His consistency has kept him competitive in the toughest district in the state, year in and year out. He loves the game, and he loves his players. I am thankful I had the chance to play for Coach Hendrix, and I want to congratulate him on such a great honor.

Brandon McClurg, former Hendersonville High pitcher/centerfielder and 2005 graduate

Mike’s a great person to be around, and it rubs off on the kids. He’s always positive. Mike teaches them what to do. If they make a mistake, he would hold them accountable, but he always does it in a positive way. He’s never negative. That’s his most positive attribute. He’s a great personality. I heard (long-time Los Angeles Dodgers manager) Tommy Lasorda say one time that you get better milk from contented cows. That’s what happens. They play hard for him, because they like him.

Steve Garner, former Hendersonville High assistant baseball coach for 12 seasons

I will always be indebted to Coach Hendrix for providing me the opportunity to play baseball at Hendersonville. He grew the program into a brotherhood and family atmosphere that helped shape me into the person I am today. Some of my best high-school memories are with friends and teammates competing for a state championship. Our seniors actually held our graduation ceremony in Williamson Medical Center after we beat Franklin in our substate game in 2000. Our catcher Chris Roach was injured, and we wanted to graduate with him at the hospital. Coach Hendrix created the atmosphere that always made the games and practice fun while keeping our competitive edge. I know that many players from our class and others have grown to be successful in many different industries, and I think it’s a testament to Coach Hendrix’s leadership.

Worth Scott, formerHendersonville High pitcher/centerfielder and 2000 graduate

I believe that Mike Hendrix is very deserving of being inducted into the TBCA Hall of Fame. He is an outstanding coach and an even better person. He coaches his teams to play the game the right way and always puts a competitive team on the field. I have nothing but respect for Mike and the program that he has at Hendersonville High School in the 19 years that I have coached against him.

Barry Vetter, current assistant coach at Blackman High and former head coach at Shelbyville and Smyrna

Coach Hendrix won me over back in high school when we had a great group of guys in P.E. (physical education class), and he would get in and play and make us a bracket and tournament for every sport. I knew I loved him then and told him this. Now, after playing for him for six years, coaching under him for three years and coaching with him for five years, I reflect on how he has impacted me as a coach and person. First, it would have to be his love of family. He will do anything for his kids and routinely meets with his mother and stepfather. Without a doubt, his first priority is family. Next, is his love of life. If you want to smile, see Coach Hendrix. There is not a day I see him when he doesn’t put a smile on my face. He loves life and what he does in this world. Lastly, it is coaching. Being an intense coach, he always eases me back to the reality that you should do your best but remember that it is just a game. Every year I ask him if he is coming back, and so far it has been yes. I hope it stays that way, because I greatly appreciate him in my life.

Lawson Watson, Ellis Middle head football coach, former junior-varsity baseball coach at Hendersonville High, former Hendersonville baseball player and 2004 graduate

I think that if I had to sum him up in one word, it would be class. He is a class guy, runs a class program, and is well-respected by his peers. His record speaks for itself – 519 wins, five times to state tournament … and one thing he is proud of is that over 50 of his kids have gone on to play college baseball, and seven played professionally.

Pat Swallows, TBCA executive director

I don't even know where to begin about Coach Hendrix. He was my eighth-grade basketball coach. We competed against his teams when I was a player at Beech wanting to beat them as bad as we could. He hired me to be a junior-varsity baseball coach 16 years ago when I had about one year of coaching experience, and he had one of the best young classes of players we had ever had. He's put faith in me and all his assistant coaches and allowed us to be along for a great ride with some of the best baseball experiences that anyone can imagine all over the country. He was the driving force behind our field first getting rebuilt 15 years ago. He has been a major influence over countless players and students at Hendersonville. He has been a father-type figure when I needed it, a brother-type figure when I needed it, and most of all, he has been my friend. I can say with all certainty that Hendersonville High School has been blessed to have Mike Hendrix as its head baseball coach, and personally, I have been blessed to known one of the greatest baseball men that we all know. To me, that is the highest compliment we can give someone in our game. Mike Hendrix is a true baseball man and an even finer gentleman of the game.

Andy Gilley, Assistant Baseball Coach Hendersonville High School