Lansing Community College, baseball coach Drew Huard part ways after two successful seasons

Eric Lacy
Lansing State Journal
Drew Huard ,right, hugs Drew Cantrell after a game during Lansing Community College's 2017 season. Huard, 30, of Grand Ledge, is no longer the school's coach. He led the team that year to the Junior College World Series.

LANSING -- Lansing Community College and the man who led the baseball program to an 81-27 record and trip to the Junior College World Series during in his first two seasons have parted ways. 

Drew Huard confirmed Monday night he's no longer LCC's coach and is also no longer employed at the school as a full-time academic success coach, a job he had for seven months.

He declined to explain the circumstances that led to his departure. 

"I'm always a positive person," Huard said. "That's who I am. It's a difficult decision for me to understand, but I'm very, very grateful for the two years I've had at Lansing Community College."

Huard declined to explain a message he posted Sunday on Twitter that said the following:

"I was unexpectedly forced to resign my position as head coach at Lansing Community College on Friday, Feb. 8, 2019. I am completely devastated by this due to the impact it will have on the 40 student-athletes on the team, coaching staff, the student-athletes' families, and my family.

"I am taking every available step to reverse this unjustified outcome so I can continue coaching my team during the 2019 season." 

As of 7:15 p.m. Monday, Huard's post was still visible on his Twitter page. 

Marilyn Twine, an LCC spokesperson, emailed Monday night the following statement to the State Journal about Huard's status:

"Mr. Huard had great success while at LCC and we wish him well. We are committed to ensuring an uninterrupted execution of our winning baseball program."

In a follow-up phone call about Huard's post on Twitter, Twine referred to the school's statement. "That's all we have to say at this point," she said.

Huard, 30, from Grand Ledge, led the Stars in his first season as head coach to the 2017 National Junior College Athletic Association World Series. 

The Stars placed third and finished that season with an overall record of 41-17.

Huard was named the MCCAA East Conference Coach of the Year and the Region XII Coach of the Year that season. 

In 2018, the Stars went 40-12. 

Replacement unclear 

Huard said Monday night he had not met with his players yet to explain his job status and would still like to coach at the collegiate level. 

"I am so proud of the players that I've had," Huard said. "I think the baseball team will be in very good hands."

Huard said he's not sure who will be named the new coach, but expected that person to get the official nod from LCC in "a few days." 

When Huard first took the job as LCC's baseball coach, he also taught math at Grand Ledge High School, his alma mater.

He acknowledged Monday that having a full-time job coupled with coaching LCC's team became "a strain" on himself and his young family. 

Huard's background

Huard was a four-year starter for Aquinas College's baseball team. He then became a graduate assistant in 2013. 

Huard went on to hold baseball coaching positions with Davenport University's junior varsity and the 18-and-under Grand Rapids Diamonds summer traveling team. 

Huard also has experience coaching football, basketball and baseball at Grand Ledge.

In high school, Huard was a three-year starter for the Comets under coach Pat O'Keefe.

He was an all-conference player for three seasons and was named to the State Journal's Dream Team as a senior. 

MORE:

LCC baseball, a band of underdogs, take on World Series

Lansing Community College wins World Series opener

Eric Lacy is a reporter for the Lansing State Journal. Contact him at 517-377-1206 or elacy@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @EricLacy.