Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Haines complimentary of MT after Cubs promotion
11/3/2017 1:00:00 PM | Baseball
CHICAGO, Ill. – A long, winding road through coaching has led to a new, once-in-a-lifetime chance for a former Middle Tennessee baseball coach.
From the 2003-2005 seasons, Andy Haines served as a graduate assistant coach for the Blue Raiders. He turned that into stints with the Gary SouthShore RailCats of the Northern League and the Windy City ThunderBolts of the independent Frontier League before becoming a hitting coach in the Miami Marlins' organization in 2008.
For eight years, Haines managed teams at various levels for the Marlins, including the Gulf Coast Marlins, Jamestown Jammers, Greensboro Grasshoppers, Jupiter Hammerheads and New Orleans Zephyrs. His stint with the Marlins came to an end in 2016, when the Illinois native was hired by the Chicago Cubs as their minor league hitting instructor.
After serving two seasons in the position, it was announced on Oct. 26 that Haines was receiving a promotion. A whirlwind of a day, as Haines describes it, ended with a new job title for the 40-year-old: Cubs assistant hitting coach.
"It happened really fast," he said. "I think we finalized everything about a half an hour before it was announced … and [Cubs President of Baseball Operations] Theo Epstein told me to get ready for my phone to blow up once everyone sees it, and sure enough, it was just like clockwork.
"It's flattering, and it was pretty cool to see how many people were genuinely happy for me."
Haines owes a lot from his career and his personal life to his time spent in Murfreesboro.
In his three years at MT, he earned a master's degree in physical, health and wellness and met his future wife, the former Erin Parsons, whom he would marry in late 2015.
He also affirmed in his mind what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Haines always figured he could make a good coach, but after watching former Blue Raider head coach Steve Peterson and current head man Jim McGuire run the program day-to-day, he knew he had to not only be a coach, but a coach at the highest level.
"Everybody has a different path, and you can learn from all of them," Haines said. "I think there's a certain power in learning from the bottom … with Coach Peterson and Coach McGuire, I was able to just sit back and watch them work. I was able to pay attention closely … and I knew then without hesitation I wanted to coach."
Haines started somewhat behind the eight-ball compared to most other coaches who strive to reach the major leagues.
He never played professional baseball, ending his playing career after four years as a catcher at Eastern Illinois University. That made learning the ins and outs of coaching and seeing how to run a successful program essential for Haines early in his coaching career.
"It's an unbelievable story, really," said McGuire, who was associate head coach for the Blue Raiders during Haines' time. "Andy never played pro ball and never really coached a whole lot in college. He's just an extremely hard worker, and he's been great at every step along the way.
"[His promotion] is a proud moment for him and a proud moment for MTSU and MTSU baseball. He's a good friend, and I've watched him grow and develop. It couldn't happen to a better guy and a better Middle Tennessee alum."
The promotion hasn't quite set in yet for Haines, considering the Cubs are in the midst of the offseason and taking a little break on a lot of on-the-field stuff.
He said he expects to fully take in his promotion and new job once spring training rolls around. That'll also be about the time when he'll have an eye on what's happening in Murfreesboro.
While Cubs blue may be his employer's colors, there's another blue often on Haines' mind, especially come spring.
"Middle Tennessee is a special place for me," he said. "I felt like I belonged there, like it was a home for me. I think the world of Coach Pete and Coach McGuire … and I keep track and text Mags when they have a tough loss or a good win. I'm just rooting for all of Middle Tennessee."
