McCracken County baseball coach Zach Hobbs was recently named a finalist for the Cincinnati Reds MSA Sport Design Baseball Coach of the Year. Hobbs was honored as a finalist during a pregame ceremony at Tuesday’s Cincinnati Reds game at Great American Ballpark.
“It was super exciting, and it’s always an honor to represent McCracken County High School and McCracken County baseball,” Zach Hobbs said about the finalist nod. “I’ve been nominated and received a lot of awards, and I think it just shows how great our players and our coaches are. I get to go to these things, but our players, assistant coaches, and everybody that works so hard earns these nominations, and I get to be the guy that gets to do that for our program. It truly is an honor.”
Hobbs spoke on the recognition before the game, and said he even saw a Cincinnati Reds coaching legend just feet from him before walking out onto the field.
“I was on the field for some pregame stuff. I went to walk out, and Terry Francona was standing two feet away from me,” Hobbs said. “That was just a neat experience. My wife and I got to go to the game and enjoy that. Also got to speak with coaches in the suite after the event. The Reds got a suite for us, and I got to talk to coaches and really network too. It was such a cool experience. Probably one of the neatest in my coaching career.”
Hobbs earned the nomination after a historic year for him and the Mustangs. Back in January, he was inducted into the KHSBCA Hall of Fame for his many years of coaching throughout the area, including eclipsing 300 career wins as a head coach. This season, the Mustangs won their 12th consecutive First Region title, and reached the semifinal round in the state tournament for the third straight year.
“I think it’s the continued success our program has,” Hobbs said is what he thinks attributed to the nomination. “It’s hard to do what our players have accomplished year in and year out. I think when you say things like 11 final fours in the past 12 years, and the things that our guys have accomplished, other coaches are like oh my gosh. I realize how special it is, and I hope our community realizes how special what our players have accomplished is.”
One of those players positively impacted by Hobbs’ coaching is incoming senior Gage Reeves. Reeves has had Hobbs as a coach the past few years, and is appreciative of the relationship he’s built with him and the rest of the players.
“Since I’ve been on varsity these past few years, I’ve really been able to grow with him a lot,” Reeves said. “He’s not just great coach, he’s a great person and a great husband and father to his wife and kids. For his coaching style, he definitely gets on you if you do something wrong, but it’s all out of love and he’s just trying to make you the best baseball player you can be.”
This year has been busy with awards for the Mustangs’ head coach. It seems every organization associated with high school baseball in Kentucky has given recognition to Hobbs for his achievements, recognizing his hard work and impact in the sport.
“My wife joked and said next year is going to be boring,” Hobbs said jokingly. “Because I was honored with the ABCA, NFHS, the NHACA, and got into the hall of fame, and now the finalist award. Next year I’m going to be like man my phone’s not ringing at all. It’s just been an amazing experience. I’m just speechless honestly with what’s all happened this year with the awards.”
Years of hard work, program success, and positive impact have all led up to this finalist nomination for Zach Hobbs. With the new school year right around the corner, this nomination encapsulates the incredible and historic year of awards Hobbs has received. While the awards recognized everything he has accomplished, Hobbs continues to credit the players, coaches, and others who have helped him and the Mustangs along the way.