Tucker Hughes begins his first year as Head Softball Coach at Georgia Highlands College.

Three years with the baseball program at GHC, he helped guide the Chargers to 2 GCAA Conference Championships, 1 Region 17 Championship, 1 Region 17 Championship Runner Up, & the best start in Georgia Highlands College history. Hughes sent 44 players to 4-year programs including 13 to the D1 level. Hughes finished his time with the baseball program going 120-47 while holding a 261-181 record in eight seasons at the collegiate level.

In Hughes third season with the Chargers, the pitching staff ranked 2^nd (ERA), 5^th (K’s), 5^th (K/9), 1^st (BB), 2^nd (ER), 2^nd (H), 2^nd (B/Avg). A year that felt like injuries would take over the team, the Chargers managed to produce another productive season sitting at 33-21 while finishing 3^rd in the GCAA Conference. The Chargers produced 7 GCAA All-Conference Players, 2 GCAA Pitcher of The Week, 6 GCAA Player of The Week, & Male Scholar Athlete of The Year. Hughes pitching staff was led by 1^st Team All-Conference Pitcher, Trey Baker & 2^nd Team All-Conference Pitcher, Chandler Anderson. Baker, who led the team & GCAA in ERA & wins, came up just short by a vote for GCAA Pitcher of The Year. Anderson was the catalyst of the bullpen finishing the season with the most saves in the GCAA. The Chargers saw 2 program records be tied with Ryan Wideman producing a .435 batting average & Trey Baker producing 9 wins. Freshman, Ryan Wideman, was named NJCAA All-American. Along with all the success on the field, the Chargers made the classroom a priority managing to produce the best team GPA in program history with a 3.28. The Chargers 2023 recruiting class finished in the top 20 per Perfect Game.

In Hughes second season with the Chargers, the pitching staff ranked 1^st (ERA), 1^st (K’s), 2^nd (K/9), 1^st (BB), 1^st (ER), 2^nd (H), 1^st (B/Avg). Hughes & the Chargers recorded 4 GCAA Pitcher of The Week honors & 8 GCAA Player of The Weeks. Hughes took over the catching duties during the 2022 season & the unit never missed a beat with Ben Olson being named 1^st Team All-Conference, & NJCAA All-American honors with teammate & fellow catcher, David Smith. Along with Olson & Smith, the Chargers saw Conner Todaro named NJCAA All-American & GCAA Player of the Year. The 2022 Chargers produced, 3 Gold Glove winners, 6 GCAA All-Conference players, 5 NJCAA All-Academic Team members, Male Scholar Athlete of The Year, 4 Region 17 All-Tournament Team members led by David Smith’s Region 17 All-Tournament MVP honors. The Chargers offense set a new program record of 101 homeruns during the season. The Chargers also saw all 21 sophomores move on to 4-year institutions on a baseball scholarship. The Chargers set a program record starting 16-0 & soaring up the national rankings being ranked as high as 7^th in the county. Per Perfect Game, Hughes brought in the nations 2^nd ranked recruiting class; best class in GHC history. 5 recruits ranking in Perfect Game’s top 250 JUCO players with 3 in the top 100 & 6 players being named to Perfect Game’s top 500 JUCO players in the country. Hughes has also signed 5 national ranked prospects per Perfect Game.

In Hughes first season with the Chargers, the pitching staff ranked 1^st (ERA), 2^nd (K’s), 2^nd (K/9), 1^st (BB), 1^st (ER), 4^th (H), & 2^nd (B/Avg). The Chargers produced the 2^nd best team ERA since 2016 & two No-Hitters by Johnny Dow (2/7/2021) & Chase Townsend (2/21/2021). The Chargers staff swept all post-season awards notching two 1^st Team All-Conference Pitchers (Johnny Dow & Connor Perry) with Johnny Dow being named NJCAA National Pitcher of The Week & 2021 GCAA Pitcher of The Year. The Chargers have set numerous school & individual records in his short time with the Chargers: Most Wins (42), Complete Games (14), Single Season Wins (9/Perry) (8/Dow) (7/Townsend), & Single Season K’s (76/Perry). The Chargers recorded their highest ever national ranking at #9. During the 2021 season, 6 players were named GCAA All-Conference, 2 Gold Glovers, Conner Todaro being named NJCAA National Gold Glove winner, 3 All-Tournament Team members, 6 NJCAA All-Academic Team, & Male Scholar Athlete of The Year. The Chargers also saw all 10 sophomores move on to 4-year institutions on a baseball scholarship.

Prior to joining the Chargers, Hughes spent some time at University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas. While at University of the Ozarks, Hughes held the role of Pitching/Catching Coach & Recruiting Coordinator. During his short time at Ozarks, the Eagles saw incredible amounts of success. During the Covid-19 shortened season, Hughes helped guide the Eagles to their best start in program history since 2008 at 11-5 & tied for first place in the conference standings. In his role as the Pitching Coach, the Eagles staff produced an ERA that ranked top 3 in the American Southwest Conference. David Beck, Josh Craven, & Blake Benson all ranking in the top 13 in ERA with David Beck posting a perfect 0.00 in ASC play. As a whole, the pitching staff ranked 3^rd (ERA), 8^th (K’s), 4^th (Hits), 2^nd (ER), & 6^th (BB). In his role as Catching Coach, Erick Aguirre was named 1^st Team All-Conference & 2^nd Team All-Region. As Recruiting Coordinator, Hughes recruited a very talented 2020 class led by 1^st Team All-Conference, 2^nd team All-Region, ASC 1^st Team All-Tournament Team, & Academic All-American James Cross. Hughes recruiting efforts saw Alex Ray being named a two time Academic All-Conference participate while notching All-Conference honors & Dru Didway receiving All-Conference & 2-time All-Region honors.

Before his time spent at University of the Ozarks, Hughes spent two seasons at Waldorf University in Forest City, Iowa. While at Waldorf University, Hughes held the role as Graduate Assistant – Pitching/Catching Coach. Hughes also assisted with the recruiting efforts for the Warriors. In the two seasons as Pitching Coach, the staff produced the best numbers since the 2013 season along with the best overall win totals. Under Hughes, Mackenzie Pearson, Nicholas Ray, & Andrew Benns all posted All-Conference Pitching Performances. Andrew Benns ranking as the league leader in saves & ranking 5^th in the country. The Warriors also saw a No-Hitter posted by Mackenzie Pearson on 3/31/2019. The Hughes ran staff saw numerous Pitcher of The Week Awards. The staff saw tremendous improvement from year one to year 2. In 2018, the Warriors pitching staff ranked 6^th (ERA), 6^th (K’s), 6^th (K/9), 7^th (H), 7^th (ER), & 8^th (BB). During the 2019 season, the staff ranked 5^th (ERA), 4^th (K), 4^th (K/9), 7^th (H), 6^th (ER), & 4^th (BB). In his role as Catching Coach, the Warriors notched two All-Conference Catchers. Nestor Jimenez (2018) & Brett Stenlund (2019). During his time at Waldorf, the Warriors set numerous school records & individual records: Most Wins (30/2019), Most Saves (16/2019), Most K’s (287/2019), Single Season Games Started (14/Pearson), Career Saves (10/Benns), Single Season Saves (10/Benns), Single Season K’s (72/Pearson), & Single Season Appearances (23/Benns). Even with these record-breaking performances, the Warriors staff also saw two pitchers sign professional contracts. Dylan Hoffman (39^th Round Draft Pick/San Diego Padres) & Nicholas Ray (Pecos League Signee – Salina Stockade).

Hughes also spent his summers, 2016-2019, coaching collegiate summer baseball as an Assistant Coach & Manager. In 2016, Hughes spent his summer with the Wellsville Nitros (NYCBL) where he helped lead the team back to the playoffs after finishing last the previous year. In 2017, Hughes took on his first Manager position for the CrownPoint Sharks (MACL) where he led the Sharks to their first summer league championship game. In 2018, Hughes decided to head back to the Wellsville Nitros as Manager. With the Nitros, Hughes was named All-Star Team Manager where he led the NYCBL past the ACBL. With the Nitros selling its team, Hughes landed a job with the Franklin Duelers (OVL) where he posted the best win percentage from a first year OVL franchise. Hughes also spent some time as an Area Scout for the Rockland Boulders in the Can-Am Independent Professional League & as a Camp Instructor for the Cincinnati Reds.

Prior to coaching, Hughes played collegiate baseball at Ohio Dominican University for ABCA HOF Coach, Paul Page, before transferring to Ohio Valley University to finish up his collegiate career. Hughes played in numerous roles while in college as a starting pitcher, relief pitcher, & closer. Hughes helped lead the Ohio Valley Fighting Scots to the League Championship his senior season starting numerous games in less than 72 hours. Hughes spent his summers playing for the Queen City Legends where he ranks top 5 in ERA, IP, K’s, & APP.

Hughes holds a B.A. Degree in English & a double M.A. Degree in Organizational Leadership-Sports Management & M.Ed in Higher Education Administration. Hughes is also the owner of Hughes Softball Camps, LLC. Hughes & his wife, Hannah Hughes, who is an Admissions Counselor at GHC; reside in Rome, GA with their dog Spot.