STARKVILLE — Brooks Roberts never complained he had to show up early and leave late.
He was doing the thing he discovered he was supposed to do in life: coach baseball. As an assistant for the Starkville Academy baseball team, Roberts was in charge of making sure the field was ready for practice or a game, the pitchers were in the right mind-set to be successful, and staying late after the game to get the field ready for the next day.
Roberts’ passion for baseball and the Volunteers was seen. So when Starkville Academy baseball coach Jarrod Parks stepped down to take an assistant job at Mississippi Delta Community College last month, Parks hoped Roberts might get the job. That hope became a reality Monday as Roberts was named the new Starkville Academy baseball coach.
“I thought I had a chance,” Roberts said. “I thought the school would do what was best for the school. If they thought it was me, then great. If they thought it was someone else, that’s also good. I’m glad to still be here, and I’m glad to be a part of Starkville Academy.”
Roberts served as an assistant coach the last three seasons. His first two seasons were under Jody Britt and the last season under Parks, who played at Mississippi State and in the Los Angeles Angels organization.
Starkville Academy Athletic Director Tony Stanford said last month it was going to be hard to find someone to fill the role since school already had started. Stanford said the decision was easy because Roberts was the right guy for the job.
“When we started to look for someone to fill the position, we wanted somebody we felt like was going to stick with the program,” Stanford said. “He’s worked hard and he’s got the respect of the players. We just felt like he was going to stick with the program and give us something to build going into the future with.
“He puts in the time because he loves the game of baseball and he loves being around these players.”
Roberts, 24, also serves as an assistant football coach and will continue to do so. Parks said when he left that Roberts was a good candidate and should receive serious consideration for the job.
Roberts said he learned a lot from Parks, especially about offense. Roberts said the transition from Parks to him will be easy for the players because he plans to keep many of the philosophies Parks introduced. Roberts said he will add his twist, but it will basically be the same.
Roberts said the relationship he has developed with the players in the last three years made him the right fit for the job.
“They know me, they trust me, and I know what they can do. I’ve been around them,” Roberts said. “There’s not a whole lot that I don’t know about them. I know what their strengths are, I know what their weaknesses are, how to push them, and what kind of coaching they respond to.”
Roberts said the time he spent as a media member brought him to the realization he wanted to coach baseball. Covering baseball, he was happy to be back around the sport again. Roberts played high school baseball at Canton Academy.
Roberts won’t have to go at it alone. Cody Allsup, who was an assistant last year, is back. Roberts said Allsup understands what is expected from the program.
Making the move from assistant to head coach will put more on Roberts’ plate.
“Just being able to manage everything,” Roberts said. “Manage the time, manage the practice schedules, manage putting the schedule together. Everything on the field is still baseball. I guess it’s just everything else that comes with it.”
Roberts said his life won’t experience a major change and he feels like he can handle the transition.
Roberts will continue to put in the hard work to be successful. The foundation he laid by leaving after midnight and making the long rides back from Meridian, Jackson, and the Delta have paid off.
“(It’s good to see) all the hard work has paid off,” Roberts said. “Being up here when I’m not being told to be here. I’m just doing it because I love the school, I love this community, and I love these kids. It shows hard work does pay off and if you’re the right guy, somebody will find you. I’m glad Starkville Academy saw that in me, and I hope I can deliver all they want me to deliver.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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