Riverdale baseball hires former assistant Wayne Kendrick as coach
Riverdale baseball hires former assistant Wayne Kendrick as coach
Riverdale baseball hires former assistant Wayne Kendrick as coachCecil Joyce, Murfreesboro Daily News JournalMon, June 1, 2026 at 5:11 PM UTC·1 min read
Former assistant Wayne Kendrick has been hired as Riverdale baseball coach, the school announced on June 1.
Kendrick, 41, is a former Riverdale and MTSU player and also played in the Cincinnati Reds organization before becoming an area coach.
Siegel's Keegan Lewis (18) celebrates getting to second base from his at bat during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game between Siegel and Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Siegel's Trey Baker (19) fields the ball and throws to first base to force Smyrna's Chance Moseley (3) out at first base during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Smyrna's Aidan Nicol (7) pitches against Siegel during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Siegel's Jackson Zeltner (7) crosses home plate to score the first run during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game between Siegel and Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Smyrna's Jordan Edwards (24) tries to tag Siegel's Brayden Maultsby (17) out at third base during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Siegel's pitcher Colton Baron (27) goes after the ball after a bunt to throw to first base and try to force Smyrna's Ryan Harrison (9) out at first base during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Smyrna's Ryan Harrison (9) celebrates his base hit while on first during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game between Siegel and Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Siegel's baseball coach Craig Reavis asks about a call during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game between Siegel and Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Siegel's Josh Lawson (5) forces Smyrna's Ryan Harrison (9) out at second base as he throws the ball to try and force out Smyrna's LJ Drayton (10) at first base during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game between Siegel and Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. Drayton was safe at first. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Siegel's Josh Duggin (8) dives back to first base as Smyrna's Julian Lyons (11) tries to pick him off during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Smyrna's Lathan Hall (25) tips the ball and runs to first base as Siegel's Tristan Thornton (2) grabs the ball and throws to first base to force him out during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Smyrna's Alejando Guerra (22) misses the ball when they try to pick Siegel's Cooper Roeger (24) off at first base allowing Siegel's Roeger (24) to steal second base during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game between Siegel and Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Siegel's Colton Baron (27) pitches against Smyrna during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Smyrna's Jordan Edwards (24) fields the ball and throws to first base during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game between Siegel and Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Smyrna's Chance Moseley (3) takes a lead off second base as Siegel's Trey Baker (19) watches in the background during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Smyrna's Alejando Guerra (22) misses a foul ball hit by Siegel as Smyrna's LJ Drayton (10) reacts to the misses catch during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Siegel's Jackson Zeltner (7) takes a lead off second base during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game against Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Siegel's Tristan Thornton (2) hits the ball during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game against Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Smyrna's pitches Aidan Nicol (7) talks with Smyrna's LJ Drayton (10) during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game against Siegel on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Siegel's Keegan Lewis (18) crosses home plate as the umpire watches to make sure he touches the plate during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game against Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Siegel's Keegan Lewis (18) fields the ball and throws to first base to force out Smyrna's Alejando Guerra (22) during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Smyrna's Chance Moseley (3) hits the ball during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game against Siegel on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Smyrna's Luke Baynes (13) comes to the pitcher's mound as he greets Smyrna's Aidan Nicol (7) as he takes over pitching during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game between Siegel and Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Smyrna's LJ Drayton (10) takes a lead off first base as Siegel's Josh Duggin (8) waits near the base during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game between Siegel and Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Siegel's Colton Baron (27) pitches during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game against Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Smyrna's Jordan Edwards (24) swings at the ball during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game against Siegel on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Siegel's baseball coach Craig Reavis talks with Siegel's Brayden Maultsby (17) while he is on third base during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game between Siegel and Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Siegel's Trey Baker (19) hits the ball during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game against Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Smyrna's Luke Baynes (13) warms up on the pitcher's mound after taking over for Smyrna's Aidan Nicol (7) during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game against Siegel on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Siegel's Josh Duggin (8) takes a lead off second base as Smyrna's Chance Moseley (3) watches in the background during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)Smyrna's Aidan Nicol (7) pitches against Siegel during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)1 / 32
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Siegel's Keegan Lewis (18) celebrates getting to second base from his at bat during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game between Siegel and Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Siegel's Trey Baker (19) fields the ball and throws to first base to force Smyrna's Chance Moseley (3) out at first base during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Smyrna's Aidan Nicol (7) pitches against Siegel during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Siegel's Jackson Zeltner (7) crosses home plate to score the first run during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game between Siegel and Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Smyrna's Jordan Edwards (24) tries to tag Siegel's Brayden Maultsby (17) out at third base during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Siegel's pitcher Colton Baron (27) goes after the ball after a bunt to throw to first base and try to force Smyrna's Ryan Harrison (9) out at first base during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Smyrna's Ryan Harrison (9) celebrates his base hit while on first during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game between Siegel and Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Siegel's baseball coach Craig Reavis asks about a call during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game between Siegel and Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Siegel's Josh Lawson (5) forces Smyrna's Ryan Harrison (9) out at second base as he throws the ball to try and force out Smyrna's LJ Drayton (10) at first base during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game between Siegel and Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. Drayton was safe at first. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Siegel's Josh Duggin (8) dives back to first base as Smyrna's Julian Lyons (11) tries to pick him off during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Smyrna's Lathan Hall (25) tips the ball and runs to first base as Siegel's Tristan Thornton (2) grabs the ball and throws to first base to force him out during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Smyrna's Alejando Guerra (22) misses the ball when they try to pick Siegel's Cooper Roeger (24) off at first base allowing Siegel's Roeger (24) to steal second base during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game between Siegel and Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Siegel's Colton Baron (27) pitches against Smyrna during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Smyrna's Jordan Edwards (24) fields the ball and throws to first base during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game between Siegel and Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Smyrna's Chance Moseley (3) takes a lead off second base as Siegel's Trey Baker (19) watches in the background during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Smyrna's Alejando Guerra (22) misses a foul ball hit by Siegel as Smyrna's LJ Drayton (10) reacts to the misses catch during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Siegel's Jackson Zeltner (7) takes a lead off second base during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game against Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Siegel's Tristan Thornton (2) hits the ball during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game against Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Smyrna's pitches Aidan Nicol (7) talks with Smyrna's LJ Drayton (10) during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game against Siegel on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Siegel's Keegan Lewis (18) crosses home plate as the umpire watches to make sure he touches the plate during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game against Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Siegel's Keegan Lewis (18) fields the ball and throws to first base to force out Smyrna's Alejando Guerra (22) during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Smyrna's Chance Moseley (3) hits the ball during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game against Siegel on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Smyrna's Luke Baynes (13) comes to the pitcher's mound as he greets Smyrna's Aidan Nicol (7) as he takes over pitching during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game between Siegel and Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Smyrna's LJ Drayton (10) takes a lead off first base as Siegel's Josh Duggin (8) waits near the base during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game between Siegel and Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Siegel's Colton Baron (27) pitches during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game against Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Smyrna's Jordan Edwards (24) swings at the ball during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game against Siegel on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Siegel's baseball coach Craig Reavis talks with Siegel's Brayden Maultsby (17) while he is on third base during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game between Siegel and Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Siegel's Trey Baker (19) hits the ball during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game against Smyrna on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Smyrna's Luke Baynes (13) warms up on the pitcher's mound after taking over for Smyrna's Aidan Nicol (7) during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game against Siegel on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
Blackman, Riverdale, Siegel, Smyrna in baseball Region 5-4A tourney
Siegel's Josh Duggin (8) takes a lead off second base as Smyrna's Chance Moseley (3) watches in the background during the Region 5-4A baseball tournament game on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Siegel. (HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal)
"We are thrilled to welcome Wayne Kendrick as our new head baseball coach and to continue the strong tradition at Riverdale High School," Riverdale principal Tamera Blair said. "Replacing a coach who has made such a significant impact on our program is no small task, but we are confident that we have found the right leader. He understands our culture, cares deeply about our student-athletes, and is committed to building on the foundation of success we have achieved."
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He was an assistant under Messer from 2018 through the 2026 season and also 2008-11. He has also been an assistant at Coffee County and was an area middle school head coach as well.
Kendrick was a star player at Riverdale from 2000-03 before going on to play at MTSU, where he held the program's single-season hits record (100 in 2007) before it was broken by Bryce Brentz two years later. He played minor league ball in the Reds' organization in 2007.
Riverdale reached the Class 4A sectional in 2026, finishing 28-17.