NCBCA Inducts 4 New Hall Members

Each year in December, Baseball Coaches from across the state gather in one spot to learn, exchange ideas, catch up, and honor those in the profession reaching milestones.  This year’s North Carolina Baseball Coaches Association (NCBCA) clinic took place at the Greensboro Marriott on Friday and Saturday December 7 – 8. 

Geared to all coaches, the majority of the attendees are from the high school level.  As the Association continues to grow, they will continue to see high school coaches attending, and the NCBCA hopes to see an influx of coaches from various youth levels, travel baseball, and NC college coaches.

One of the highlights of the weekend is the induction of coaches into the North Carolina Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame.  This year the NCBCA honored four coaches who undoubtedly deserved the recognition.  Pete Hardee, Dean Dease, Mickey Lineberger, and Jim Montague were each inducted into the Hall of Fame for their outstanding accomplishments over their coaching careers.

Pete Hardee is the current head coach at Alexander Central but is best known for his 21 years of service to Watagua HS in Boone, NC.  Coach Hardee was introduced to the crowd by current Providence HS head coach Danny Hignight.  Coach Hignight started his coaching career with Coach Hardee and credited Coach Hardee for instilling core values that he still uses with his teams at Providence. 

During his induction, Coach Hardee spoke of his assistants and his family.  He has been in the coaching profession for 28 years and made a point of giving credit to a lot of people that have surrounded him on his journey.  To date, Coach Hardee has won 10 conference titles along with 407 games.

Dean Dease coached for 35 years prior to his recent retirement.  31 of those years were severed as head coach at Durham’s Orange HS where Coach Dease won a state championship in 2008, along with 12 conference titles. 

Coach Dease was introduced first by one of his former assistants, and former head coach at Brevard College, Matt McCay.  McCay spent time playing for and coaching with Coach Dease and provided some insight into the man that was a coach.  McCay was followed by Coach Dease’s two daughters M’Lynn and Abby Dease.  The daughters expressed how proud they are of their father, while still getting in a couple of digs at their “old man”.  

Mickey Lineberger played at South Point HS and coached at South Point HS.  The coaching career in baseball lasted from 1984 – 2005, but he also coached football where he became the head coach from 2011 – 2016.  In baseball, Coach Lineberger racked up 362 wins with 12 conference titles.  Coach Lineberger was inducted by his son, and current head baseball coach at South Point HS, Jason Lindberger.

The elder Coach Lineberger stole the show with his quick witted speech.  He spoke glowingly of the community at South Point and of his family.  He was able to reminisce about the values instilled in him by his father and the fact that he is proud to still be a part of so many former player’s lives after they have left his program.

The final induction of the night was Coach Jim Montague.  Coach Montague was able to express his love of baseball over his career with his coaching stops and his willingness to be available for the opportunity to learn, working numerous camps and clinics, as well as the State Games of NC, the North-South Challenge, and becoming an assistant coach in American Legion programs.  Coach Montague is best known for his time at North Lenoir HS where he won 358 games over 23 years.

After coaching for 37 years, Coach Montague credited his family and his assistants with a lot of the success his teams achieved.  It was obvious throughout his speech that he continues to hold dear the relationships that were built with players and coaches while on the field.

 

NCBCA Hall of Fame Class of 2018

 

Pete Hardee

• Current Head Coach at Alexander Central (2 Years)
• Watauga HS Head Coach – 21 years
• New Bern HS – 2 years
• West Caldwell HS – 3 years
• 10 conference titles
• 17 state playoff appearances
• 407 wins at the high school level
• Coached 4 separate American Legion programs – 110 wins
• Member of the New Bern HS Athletics Hall of Fame – his alma mater
• Division I All-American at Appalachian State University
• Drafted in the 22^nd round by the Montreal Expos

 

Dean Dease

• Head Coach at Orange HS – (1988-2018)
• JV Head Coach at Orange HS – (1985-1987)
• State Championship – 2008
• 12 Conference Championships
• 21 State Playoff Appearances (16 straight through 2018)
• Six 20 win seasons
• 60 players have gone to play college or professional baseball
• 19 All-State Players
• 3 All-American Players
• Head Coach and Director of Hillsborough Hogs of the CCSSL
• Orange County Post 452 American Legion Manager and Athletic Officer (1995-2005)
• Serves on the Executive Board for the NCBCA

 

Mickey Lineberger

• Head Coach at South Point HS – 1984-2005
• Won 362 games as head coach
• Won 12 conference titles
• Assistant Varsity and Head JV coach – 2006-2011
• Member of the staff for the 2011 State Championship
• One of 3 coaches at the first NC Baseball Organization meeting – giving NC coaches a voice in Chapel Hill
• 70 players went to play college or professional baseball
• Region 6 Coach of the year in 2002
• Head Coach of American Legion Post 144 for 15 years
• Gaston Braves American Legion Coach for 8 years
• Football Coach at South Point from 1983 – 2016
• Head Football Coach at South Point – 2011-2016
• 6 consecutive 10 wins seasons as head football coach, winning a state championship in 2016

 

Jim Montague

• 34 year career coaching high school baseball in NC
• Head Coach at North Lenoir HS – 23 years
• Won 358 games at North Lenoir
• Named Conference Coach of the Year 8 Times in baseball
• 5 years served as part of the State Games of NC as a coach
• 5 years served as an Assistant Coach with Snow Hill American Legion
• Member of the All-State selection committee for Region 2 for 6 years
• Attended and instructed at numerous camps and clinics
• Coached soccer at North Lenoir for several years, earning 3 Conference Coach of the Year awards
• After 23 years as the baseball coach at North Lenoir, walked away from coaching to enjoy his daughter’s softball career, only to be coaxed to coach the softball team – 3 playoff appearances in 3 years
• Retired in 2017 after a distinguished 37 year career.