Billy Berry
Baylor School has announced that Tennessee Wesleyan’s Billy Berry, the 2012 NAIA National Coach of the Year, is the new varsity coach for the Red Raider baseball program.
Berry replaces Gene Etter, who announced his retirement this spring after 41 seasons as the Red Raiders head coach.
“The quality of this applicant pool was fantastic.
Billy is a national coach of the year who also values academics and character development. His vision for the development of players in grades 6-12 is exactly what we were seeking. It's an exciting time for the future of Baylor baseball,” said Thad Lepcio, Baylor School’s athletic director.
Berry has just completed his tenth year as head baseball coach for the Bulldogs, with an overall record of 433-166, and a conference record of 189-41. He has led his teams to nine of the last ten AAC regular season championships; eight AAC tournament finals with eight AAC tournament titles in 2007 – 2013 and again in 2015; and was named AAC Regional Coach of the Year in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2012. In addition, 18 of his players have been drafted to play professionally.
“My family and I our thrilled to have the opportunity to join Baylor School and its baseball program,” said Berry. “I want to personally thank Thad Lepcio and (Headmaster) Scott Wilson for the trust they have put in me to lead the Baylor baseball program. It is with a heavy heart that I leave Tennessee Wesleyan College, but I am excited about the future. I am looking forward to getting started and to meeting the returning players. Baylor School is one of the top high schools in the country and I am blessed and honored to now be a small part of a great community.”
A native of Richmond, Va., Berry earned a B.S. degree in physical education from Bluefield College where he was a three-time first team All-Conference selection and was inducted into the Bluefield College Hall of Fame.
He and his wife, Jackie, are the parents of three children: Brady, 11; Brooks, seven; and Brynlee, one.