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 

Hendersonville High School head coach Mike Hendrix sends a baserunner to home plate during the team’s game against Soddy-Daisy in last May’s Class AAA State Tournament. Hendrix will be inducted into the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association (TBCA) Hall of Fame this Saturday.(Photo: Craig Harris / Gallatin News Examiner)

Mike Hendrix had lofty aspirations at an early age.

“My goal growing up was like any other kid,” Hendrix said. “I wanted to play (baseball) in the major leagues. I found out real quick that there were more states in our country than just Tennessee, and those players were better than me. That’s where it ended.

“There’s life after athletics, and it’s called getting a good job. I always wanted to coach, and I jumped at the opportunity.”

A good job is what Hendrix professes to have. It has also been a stable profession for the teacher and coach of 39 years.

“I’m the luckiest guy in the world, because I get to work with good people every day,” the Hendersonville High head baseball coach said. “It’s not only the baseball coaches but the basketball coaches and football coaches and soccer coaches … guys I respect the heck out of.”

On Saturday, Hendrix will be inducted into the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association (TBCA) Hall of Fame at a noon luncheon held at the Franklin Cool Springs Marriott. The luncheon is held in conjunction with the annual TBCA clinic, which will be held from Friday through Sunday.

“I am very happy to be honored for something that I love to do,” Hendrix said. “I coach baseball for the love. I was surprised to death. I had no idea that anybody would turn in anything about me. I’m just a dumb, little baseball coach from South Nashville who came to Hendersonville.

“I am thrilled. I am humbled. I don’t know what else to say. I’m excited that something good has happened to me, in something that I have given my life to and in the sport that I love.”

The long-time TBCA member is one-third of the induction class, which includes Franklin Road Academy’s George Weicker and Brentwood High’s Nick Waggoner. Wiecker’s program has won two state titles (in 1988 and 2000) and finished as the state runner-up three times (1999, 2001 and 2015), while Waggoner reached eight state tournaments and compiled 546 wins.

There will now be 58 members of the TBCA Hall of Fame, which began with the induction of Millington’s Babe Howard in 1992.

“It’s very fulfilling,” Hendrix said of his coaching career. “Not only has education been a job for me this long, but I’ve raised my kids this way. My wife (Helenmary) has done that. My mother-in-law (Mary Clouse) was a principal for 10 years or so at Beech High School. I’ve made a lot of friends.”

It rings true

He learned of the honor in an unconventional way, after TBCA executive director Pat Swallows sent Hendrix an e-mail requesting his ring size. A prior letter that was mailed to Hendrix detailing the forthcoming induction never arrived, leaving him wondering about the unique inquiry.

Hendrix will receive his size 12 on Saturday though.

“I’ve had good kids,” Hendrix said. “I’m only as good as the nine players I put on the field. When I have pretty good players, I’m a good coach. I tell them all the time, ‘y’all need to play (well) and make me a good coach.’

“I’m a has-been.”

The so-called has-been was actually a standout in his playing days too … and a quick learner.

“I pitched when I was 12 because I was the biggest guy on the team,” Hendrix said. “I knew that, by pitching, you only got to play every four or five days.”

As a result, Hendrix transformed into a catcher, helping Overton to its first state title in his senior season of 1971. The 6-foot, 175-pounder also started at center for the Bobcat football team.

Then, he played for two seasons at both Motlow State Community College and Belmont University, primarily serving as a catcher while also playing first base at times. In helping Belmont to a 54-21 record over those two seasons, Hendrix had a .332 career batting average and a .557 slugging percentage.

During his junior season, Hendrix posted a .370 batting average (second best on the team) with seven doubles, five triples, four home runs and 25 runs batted in (RBI). Hendrix hit .299 during his senior campaign with 11 doubles, five home runs and 27 RBI, and he was selected to the All-District 24 Team that season and earned the senior award at the Belmont All-Sport Banquet

After two years as a graduate assistant at Belmont, Hendrix was hired as the girls physical education teacher and a football coach at Knox Doss Junior High, which consisted of grades 7-9 at the time. He spent seven years there and served as an assistant football coach, the head football coach for the middle-school squad, the head freshman football coach and the head middle-school boys basketball coach, though he admits to getting cut from his middle-school basketball team during tryouts in the seventh grade.

“I knew nothing about Hendersonville,” Hendrix said. “I had only been to Hendersonville one time in my whole life. That’s when Coach (Dave) Whitten (the former Belmont head baseball coach) sent me there. He sent me to Hendersonville to watch Tommy Pinson play, and I think (Pinson) ended up going to Belmont.”

He moved on to Hendersonville High School in 1984, and he never managed to get away from the area he was initially unfamiliar with.

“I had a chance to go back to Overton one time, to go baback to where I graduated to coach,” Hendrix said. “I drove two or three times (to the school). One day, I left early in the morning, and the traffic and the drive there and the drive home wasn’t worth it to me. I already had a good job.

“It’s a good job, and I’m a firm believer in stability. I’m not one of these guys that jumps around from place to place. It’s good kids and good people … that’s why I’m still here.”

A black-and-gold family

He continued to serve as an assistant football coach through the 1980s – helping the Commando program to its deepest postseason run to that point by reaching the state semifinals in 1988 – and he later served as the Ellis Middle head football coach. In fact, he still serves as a Cougar assistant coach.

After serving as the assistant baseball coach under Bob White, Hendrix took over as the school’s head baseball coach in 1991. Success soon followed.

“Mr. (Paul) Decker was the principal, and I asked him one time, ‘do you mind if we go on a trip out of state to play, on spring break or whatever,” Hendrix said. “He looked at me and said, ‘ok, it’s your job.’ I said, ‘thanks.’ It worked out. His kids (Ty, Tommy and Joey) played for me.”

The Commandos made the first of their five state-tournament appearances in 1994, also reaching the state level in 1999, 2000, 2003 and 2015.

Hendersonville High head baseball coach Mike Hendrix celebrates with center fielder Jarcques Wordlaw following the Commandos’ sectional victory over Centennial last May. (Photo: Craig Harris / Gallatin News Examiner)

“One of the most special times for me was ‘94, the first time we ever went to the state tournament in Chattanooga,” Hendrix said. “We got to play at Engel Stadium, where Babe Ruth played.

“My high-school coach, Bill Tucker, was dying of lung cancer. He took the time out of his day one evening to call me on the phone and congratulate me. We’re talking about a guy with not a long time to live. That was very special to me. It meant a lot to me that somebody that I played for still cared.”

Another special time for Hendrix was coaching his son, Ben, from 2006-09.

“The four years he played here were four of the greatest years I’ve been at this place,” Hendrix said. “To be around my kid … he wasn’t the best baseball player to ever come through this school, but he was mine. He did a good job, and it was four great years of having my kid play. He playing here was special, and it was special being able to teach at his school.”

In addition to 24-year-old Ben, Hendrix also has a 27-year-old daughter, Rachel. She was actually an agriculture teacher at Hendersonville High from 2012-15, and Helenmary Hendrix was the school’s long-time art teacher until she retired in November.

“I owe a lot to my wife for putting up with me, coaching and going out of town,” Hendrix said. “Nine times out of 10, she would drag the kids and go too. It’s not an easy life being a coach’s wife. You have to sit in the stands and listen to the complaining.

“It’s a family thing, and family means a lot to me.”

Commando coaching community

Hendrix points to former assistant coaches Steve Garner (who he coached with at Knox Doss prior to Garner served as Hendrix’s assistant baseball coach) and Randy Darnell, along with current assistant coaches Andy Gilley and Clay Sanders, as among those relationships that he covets.

“Those are good people who know baseball,” Hendrix said. “I let them coach. I fit in with them, and they fit in with me.

“I love the people I work with. I couldn’t ask for a better work partner than Stacia Dean (the head of the school’s physical education department). She takes care of me. She’s a good woman to work with.”

As for Hendrix’s approach in dealing with his players, it’s a simple one.

“With kids and people, I just try to be honest with them,” Hendrix said. “That’s the way I preach. My daddy always told me to do it right the first time, and you don’t have to do it again.”

Hendrix has coached 52 college baseball signees – 20 of which have signed with National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I programs – and seven players who were selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

Hendersonville High head baseball coach Mike Hendrix reached the 500-win mark last season. (Photo: Craig Harris/Gallatin News Examiner)

Besides the on-field success, Hendrix has gained fulfillment as the program’s facility – a baseball field located off campus at Drakes Creek Park – has received numerous upgrades. The field was converted from a softball field to a baseball field prior to the 2001 season.

 We took a lot of chances,” Hendrix said. “Our facility has come a long way. It’s not because of me. It’s because a lot of people have supported our program. I talked to Mayor Hank Thompson back before he was ever elected mayor. He said, ‘we will do something with the baseball field down there.’ We finally got it done. We made it a lot better. It’ a softball field. But it had a yard, and we played.

“The people in Hendersonville who I’ve been around are good people. They’ve helped. A lot of people have jumped on the bandwagon. Dewayne White was a big contributor to help get our park upgraded when Hank Thompson was the mayor. It doesn’t take much to make me happy.”

Hendrix will begin his 26th season as the Commando head coach in March, and Hendersonville will be the first high-school program playing on a turf infield, which was recently installed.

“I still have a drive,” Hendrix – who won his 500th game last season – said. “I love it. Do I love getting out in 30-degree weather to come to open facilities now like I used to … no … but I still enjoy being around the kids. That’s why I’m still doing it. That’s why I’m still teaching school.

“I’m going to go as long as (Hendersonville High principal) Bob Cotter and the director of schools (Del Phillips) lets me go, or as long as I’m still healthy … but my time is coming (to an end).”

Besides the love of the game and being around the kids, one other variable has significantly impacted the longevity of his coaching career.

“In the spring of 1971, we won the state championship at Overton,” Hendrix said. “It’s been the drive to win one … my career is coming down to an end soon. Every year, the chances get shorter and shorter. It’s been the drive to do that … and I do love being around these kids. I’m 62 years old, and we still go to Gulf Shores (Ala., during spring break). I’d just still rather be out there with my kids.”

Reach Craig Harris at charris@mtcngroup.com or at 615-575-7138. Follow him on Twitter @HarrisGNESports.