Robert Haggerty enters his third season as an Assistant Baseball Coach at the University of Charleston. This season Haggerty will serve as the program’s Development Coordinator, Bus Driver, Outfielder’s Coach, Video Coordinator, Academic Coordinator, First Base Coach, and he will handle the program’s Baseball Operations. In 2015-2016, his first season with the Golden Eagles, Haggerty served as the team’s Camp Coordinator, First Base Coach, and Assistant Pitching Coach. In 2016-2017 Haggerty served as the Video Coordinator, Assistant Pitching Coach, Bus Driver, Academic Coordinator, and the Development Coordinator for the Golden Eagles. Haggerty also runs the program’s social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
During the spring 2017 semester, the Golden Eagles had 31 players above a 3.0 GPA, 14 players above a 3.5 GPA, and 8 players with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Haggerty also played a vital role in the program’s transition from 16-34 in 2016, to 34-22 in 2017. Specifically, Haggerty assisted Pitching Coach Casey Hodges in reducing the Golden Eagles staff ERA from 5.85 in 2016 to 4.73 in 2017. Haggerty’s Development team also competed throughout the Mid-Atlantic region in 2017. As a result of these experiences, several players were bumped up to the varsity level over the course of the season.
Haggerty came to UC from Bluefield State College, where he was the Associate Head Coach/ Recruiting Coordinator during the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 seasons. During his time at BSC, the Big Blues registered the highest team GPA in the athletic department with a 3.11 GPA during the 2014-2015 season. Haggerty also coached Dale Davis, an All-Atlantic Region player in 2013, and an All-ICAA player in 2014. Davis signed with the Texas Rangers as a free-agent in March of 2014.
Haggerty worked with the Tampa Bay Rays as a Trackman operator and official scorer during the summer of 2015, primarily with their rookie ball team based out of Princeton, WV. He also worked with the West Virginia Power as an official scorer during the summer of 2016.
Coach Haggerty has also worked with numerous youth baseball organizations. He has worked with the Diamond Skills Baseball organization out of Washington, DC for the past three summers. In addition, Haggerty coached the 14U Crabfest All-American’s out of Washington, DC to the Walt Disney Land New Year’s Bash Championship in January of 2016. Haggerty has also worked numerous other camps throughout the country, including camps at Army West Point, Tusculum, Eastern Mennonite, Virginia Military Institute, etc.
Haggerty began his playing career at Lyon College (NAIA-AR) before transferring to Austin Peay State University after shoulder surgery. After rehabbing Coach Haggerty transferred to Bluefield State College where he played under longtime head coach Geoff Hunter. While at BSC Haggerty was a two-way player, seeing time as both an infielder and a pitcher. Haggerty was a 2x WVIAC Pitcher of the Week as a member of the BSC Baseball team. He holds the school record for sac bunts in a game and in a season. He ranks in the top five all time at BSC for sac bunts in a career. He was a team captain for two years at BSC, and he was twice awarded the “Heart and Hustle” award by BSC Head Coach Geoff Hunter. Haggerty was also a 2x Academic All-Conference selection at BSC, as well as a 4x member of the school’s President’s List (3.5 GPA or better).
Haggerty graduated magna cum laude from BSC, with a BA in Social Science (History and Political Science), a BA in Humanities (Pre-Law), and an AS in Civil Engineering Technology. He also holds a Master’s in Strategic Leadership from the University of Charleston, as well as a Master’s in Sport Management from Dallas Baptist University.
Haggerty is currently a member of the ABCA. Robert currently resides in Charleston, WV.
What are they saying about Robert Haggerty….
“In the two years that I have been acquainted with Coach Haggerty I have known him to be a very kind and positive presence on the diamond, but also to have high expectations of those who play for him. He is a "glass half full" type of person, and always tries to draw the positives out of situations and coach up those who have things they need to address in their game. Coach Haggerty is also very approachable and personal, and is the type of guy that can strike up and continue a conversation with just about anyone. He brings the best out of all those associated with him and around him. The Univ. of Charleston (WV) is a lucky place to have such a positive and driving force in their dugout.”
-Drew Willard (Asst. Baseball Coach St. Mary’s College of Maryland)
“Robert Haggerty is an energetic and enthusiastic young coach with a tremendous work ethic. Both his knowledge and passion for baseball are truly contagious. His character, loyalty and ability to communicate with players makes him an asset to any program. Robert is a player’s coach who can relate to players and has the ability to form relationships with both team members as well as recruits. Robert's characteristics and knowledge of baseball are second to none.”
-Jason Stowers (Asst. Baseball Coach University of Tennessee at Martin)
"Coach Haggerty is the consummate professional on and off the field. Robert is an outstanding teacher of the game of baseball and the many life lessons it transcends. He is a positive force in the lives of every student/athlete he has ever coached. Coach Haggerty brings out the best in his players with his wholesome values and ability to instill confidence in them. It has been my honor to work with him over the years and see firsthand his positive impact on his players as well as us coaches."
-Gus Kaplanges (Executive Director CrabFest Baseball)
“In 36 years as a head coach at the college level, I’ve been fortunate to have some great helpers and Robert is certainly one of the best I ever worked with. He has the high-energy level you would expect to see from a young coach, balanced with the strong old-school values typically only seen from a more-experienced skipper. Robert’s passion for the game and his understanding of how it should be played is simply fun to watch. As a player, he enjoyed success as both an infielder and pitcher, so Robert has the background knowledge needed to teach the game. He always played hard and never failed to shake hands when the game was over, so Robert also possesses the motivation and the sportsmanship needed to help lead a college program. Further, his love of the game is unequaled and that characteristic will allow him to always keep a positive attitude no matter what the score is. When Head Coach Andrew Wright from the University of Charleston called me for a reference on Robert, I told him that he was a fine coach in every respect, but an even better person--the complete package that every head coach looks for in an assistant. Not only does Robert set a great example for young people to follow, but his strong character allows him to be a great mentor for them as well. Most importantly, he understands that there is no greater contribution that any of us can make in our life and career than to help a young person. For all of the reasons stated above, Robert Haggerty, Jr. is a great addition to the athletic department at UC and they are fortunate to have him on their staff. He has all the attributes required to be a successful coach at the college level.”
- Geoff Hunter (Head Baseball Coach Bluefield State College)
