By Mariana Poshyvailo
Hood College’s new assistant baseball coach, TJ Holdredge, began his role on Monday, Sept. 16, and is ready to lead the team through the upcoming season.
A former player at Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania, Holdredge brings a unique mix of coaching and physical therapy expertise to the field, making him well-suited to lead the team during this interim period.
Holdredge’s path to coaching began while still a student-athlete. During his final year of college, he began helping his team from the sidelines, gaining valuable coaching experience. Since then, he’s built a career as a physical therapist while maintaining close ties with the sport, including working with several Hood players to improve their mechanics through physical therapy.
“I’ve been involved with the program for about two years,” Holdredge said, noting his presence at numerous games and connection with the players.
Even though Holdredge hasn’t formally been on Hood’s coaching staff before, his familiarity with the team runs deep. “I played against Hood College during my whole career,” he shared, having played in the same conference as Hood while at Lebanon Valley. His experience competing against the Blazers, combined with his professional work with Hood players, has given him a unique insight into the team.
Since practices began on Monday, Sept. 16, Holdredge has been eager to hit the ground running. “My plan is to push this fall season and expect very competitive high-level play,” he said. His first official meeting with the team on Tuesday, Sept. 3, left him excited about what lies ahead, as he connected with both new and familiar faces, especially freshmen eager to make their mark.
Holdredge emphasized the importance of honesty and maintaining high standards. “People want to be pushed,” he said, reflecting on his own experiences as a player and coach. “Creating an atmosphere where people can get better is very important.”
His short-term goal is clear: to ensure that by the end of the fall season, every player feels like they’ve improved as both athletes and teammates. Long-term, he hopes to foster a sense of unity and trust, where the team becomes a family that players can rely on both on and off the field.
In addition to on-field success, Holdredge also values humility and coachability in his players. “Baseball is such a fast-paced game, it’s all about adjustments,” he said, stressing the importance of being open to feedback and willing to make changes to improve.
As the Blazers prepare for their fall season, including the highly anticipated alumni game and a matchup against Frederick Community College, Holdredge is excited to see how the team comes together. “I want to show the reality that the Hood baseball team is very talented,” he said.
Looking ahead, he hopes to continue contributing to the program, whether as an assistant coach or in other capacities, beyond this interim period. “I always planned to coach at a high level, and being able to lead this team this fall is a huge honor,” he said.
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