Tharptown names Burkett baseball coach

RUSSELLVILLE — Becoming Tharptown High’s head baseball coach is the culmination of a goal that was years in the making for Michael Burkett.

Burkett joined the school last year as an assistant coach for baseball and football, a dual enrollment English instructor and an online facilitator.

He takes over the Wildcats baseball program with 23 years of coaching experience, a doctorate in organizational behavior, and a vision for a program built on more than wins and losses.

Throughout his career, Burkett has served as a head coach in baseball, football, track and tennis.

He holds degrees from the University of West Alabama, the Univerity of Alabama-Birmingham, the University of North Alabama, and the University of the Cumberlands, where he earned his doctorate.

Burkett said Tharptown reminds him of one of his favorite places he has worked. He grew up in Jefferson County and played baseball, basketball, football, track and golf at Mortimer Jordan High School.

He said baseball was always his favorite, even as his athleticism led him toward football in college.

Two mentors helped shape his baseball philosophy. Pat Keedy, his high school coach at Mortimer Jordan and a former professional player for the California Angels, Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) and Chicago White Sox, was the first. The second was Gerald Ray, who supervised baseball during six seasons Burkett spent at Canton Academy in Canton, Mississippi.

Ray, who died two years ago, impressed upon Burkett that the game should be enjoyable and that players perform best when they are relaxed.

“This is a game at the end of the day, and it needs to be enjoyed,” Burkett said. “We have pressure-free game days.” Burkett said the pressure should be reserved for practices. There, players develop skills and learn the purpose behind each drill.

Baseball appeals to Burkett because no other sport demands that players manage failure as consistently.

“Baseball is a game of failure,” he said.

He noted that a major league hitter who reaches base two and a half times out of every five plate appearances is considered elite. In high school, the best hitters may bat .400 or .500, but the principle remains the same.

Mistakes are part of the game, and players must learn how to respond.

“We play the next pitch,” Burkett said his approach to the game.

He wants players to carry that mindset beyond baseball.

Whatever setback comes, on the field, in the classroom or later in life, the response should be the same — stay calm, find the next opportunity and move forward. The growth he hopes to see does not always show up in a box score.

One of his favorite moments from the past season involved eighth grader Jack Montgomery, who spent time after the junior high season working on his footwork even though he had no games left to play.

“He was here just because he wanted to get better,” Burkett said.

After roughly 35 minutes of repetition, something clicked.

“He looked up at me with this grin, like he got it,” Burkett said.

Beginning this school year, Burkett plans to launch a weekly Wildcat Leadership Academy before school.

“Everybody takes grounders, everybody receives popups, everybody takes batting practice,” he said. “Where we want to set our program apart and where we really want to benefit our players is by providing this Wildcat Leadership Academy.”

Burkett has already planned 24 sessions. He also set aside time for players to develop and lead lessons of their own. The academy will focus on leadership, communication and life skills intended to remain useful long after graduation.

Communication is a major emphasis for Burkett. He said he is willing to have difficult conversations directly with players and parents, including discussions about playing time that many coaches avoid.

Individual meetings with players are also a priority. He evaluates arm strength, bat speed, and other skills.

Teamwork, he said, teaches lessons that apply everywhere. “Teamwork teaches you that the world, your school, your family, all of these things are bigger than just the individual.”

The Wildcats return their entire roster for the 2026-27 season. Several younger players gained varsity experience last season. Burkett expects that experience to matter.

“Youth will not be an excuse for us,” he said. “Now, they’re salty veterans.”

Among the players Burkett highlighted are rising junior catcher Christopher Fretwell, rising senior pitcher and outfielder Randy Hollimon, third baseman Hayden Parker, Melvin Gutierrez and Drake Massey.

Burkett expects Hollimon to serve as the team’s No. 1 pitcher.

Gutierrez improved significantly last season and developed into a versatile player capable of contributing at multiple positions, Burkett said.

He said Massey has the potential to lead both by example and by voice, a combination he considers rare at the high school level.

Burkett said Parker sets the tone for the team through his effort and attitude.

The program’s competitive goals include winning a Franklin County Tournament game, reaching the playoffs, and eventually winning a playoff series.

Burkett said the team has not reached the playoffs since 2014 and has gone for several years without winning a Franklin County Tournament game.

He said the program will operate around four principles — respect for oneself, respect for teammates, respect for opponents, and respect for the game.

He said his work in the classroom, on the football sideline and in the baseball dugout all point toward the same goal.

“There’s so many bad and negative things that kids can get involved in,” he said. “I really enjoy being a part of the positive things that kids can be involved in.”