Greenwood Christian Academy baseball coach Doug Hagist doesn’t question the credentials of his oldest varsity assistant.
Not when the man has, as Hagist says, “forgotten more about baseball than I know.”
Duffy Hagist, 73, who excelled as a head coach in various sports at the high school and college levels, stepped into his role with the Cougars baseball program before the 2013 season and has been a mainstay ever since.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
A year earlier, Doug Hagist helped start varsity baseball at Greenwood Christian.
Some father-son coaching combinations don’t work due to colliding egos, but this one works. The Cougars captured three consecutive Class A sectional championships from 2014-16.
“We have a great relationship,” Doug said. “My dad will voice his opinions, but he’ll always end with, ‘But it’s your call.’ From the very get-go, he’s told me I’m the head coach. He’s able to just enjoy giving his input, and it’s golden input.
“My dad has been that calming influence with the kids.”
The first time the Hagists were part of the same roster was from 1985-87 at Roncalli. Duffy was one of John Wirtz’s assistants, while Doug, a left-hander, either pitched or played first base.
Once Duffy Hagist took over as the head coach at Scecina, Doug, then a senior, competed against his dad’s program.
“It was weird playing against my dad. His kids knew who I was and were trying to strike me out,” Doug said. “But we had a lot of fun with it.”
As a 22-year-old, Doug joined his father as a Scecina assistant. He was part of the Crusaders’ program for two seasons.
Son made it a point never to overstep his boundaries. Now the roles are reversed.
“Doug and I have always communicated well,” said Duffy, who is in the Indiana Football Hall of Fame after leading Ritter to the 1977 Class A state championship, serving as head coach at Franklin for four seasons (1978-81) and later working on the staff of Franklin College legend Red Faught.
“We’re all coaches together, so if you see something, take care of it. I’m just glad he decides to keep an old man around.”
Duffy Hagist’s record as baseball coach at Scecina was 141-53.
Duffy’s youngest son, Aaron, is also part of the Cougars’ coaching staff along with Brandon Crick. Each has his own responsibilities pertaining to Greenwood Christian practices and games.
Doug and Aaron were first basemen/pitchers in their playing days; Duffy has experience as a catcher from his time at St. Joseph College in Rensselaer in the mid-1960s.
“I’ve also got the outfield, and I can’t run across the street,” Duffy said with a laugh.
Doug appreciates his father’s ability to connect with Cougars’ players, including huddling up with GCA’s pitcher after each inning to talk about pitch counts and what adjustments, if any, to make moving forward.
“My dad’s willingness to come out of retirement and help has been a large reason for our early success in a brand new program,” Doug Hagist said. “It’s been fun doing this with the family.”
