Lane College head baseball coach Mike Henson has announced his departure from coaching college baseball Wednesday and spoke with Black College Nines concerning his decision last week.
One of Lane’s players emailed several Historically Black College and University (HBCU) baseball programs seeking a transfer for next season thus breaking the news about Henson planned departure.
Henson became the head baseball coach after he was contacted by Lane College assistant athletic director, who is a close friend, in January 2015. The athletic department had an immediate need for a baseball coach for just the 2015 season. After the 2015 season, Henson requested to stay onboard for another year on a part-time basis.
His sudden retirement comes after sweeping Fisk University in a doubleheader by the identical score of 19-2 to close out his coaching career.
Henson began his collegiate career after 23 years of coaching high school athletics. In that time, he has served as a high school principal, athletic director, and coach of baseball, basketball, and softball. He currently presides over the athletic program part-time.
Henson said he doesn’t have any plans for his retirement yet. He stated that he will continue to work half a day as the high school athletic director. He also serves as the official scorer for the Jackson Generals, the Double AA affiliate of the Seattle Mariners baseball club.
Henson withdrew from his coaching duties stated the program needs a full-time baseball coach. “I think it is time to inject some youth into the program and it feels like the proper time for it to happen. They need somebody younger because Lane College is making a commitment to the baseball program.”
The Lane job should draw interest from quality candidates. Stillman College head coach Julius McDougal would seem like a good fit. Selma University Andrian Holloway could also be targeted.
Lane will be conducting a national search to find its next baseball coach.