Instructors

CODY CARROLL

Cody played at Mount Juliet High School (TN) and went on to play college ball at the University of Southern Mississippi. He was selected by the New York
Yankees in the 22nd round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft. Through his career, Cody pitched with the Baltimore, Miami & San Francisco organizations.

TONY CAMPANA

Tony has Major League experience, previously playing for the Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Angels. Most recently, he played for the Rieleros de Aguascientes of the Mexican Baseball League. A speedy centerfielder, Tony was named American Association Defensive Player of the Year in 2017. Tony played college ball at the University of Cincinnati. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 13th round of the 2008 MLB Draft.

BILL DAVIS

Bill played at Robert E. Lee High School, from 1978-1981. He was named All District, All Region and All State. He pitched at Auburn University from 1981-1983, lettering both years. He went on to play at Faulkner University 1984-1986, winning two National Christian College Athletic Association World Series. Bill was named Most Valuable Player.

Bill has lived in Knoxville for over 20 years. He and his wife, Tammy, have two daughters, Olivia and Emma.

TONY DELMONICO

Tony was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2008 and played professionally for several years. Before the big leagues, the Knoxville native played at the University Tennessee, where he was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and earned a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team. He finished his collegiate baseball at Florida State.

HERMAN DEMMINK III

Herman is a member of the National Strength & Conditioning Association; credentials include Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach. Herman also holds his Masters Degree in Biomechanics from the University of Tennessee. He played baseball at Clemson for 4 years where in 2004 he earned the National Strength Athlete of the Year (NSCA). 2006-2009 he worked with the Clemson Athletic teams to implement training and nutritional guidelines.

Herman played professional baseball in the Philadelphia Phillies organization and completed his career entering his 4th season. Later he joined the strength and conditioning staff at the University of Tennessee. He is the President and owner of 3D Performance Training LLC where he has trained athletes in Major League Baseball, National Football League, PGA Tour, Major League Soccer, Association of Volleyball Professionals, participants in Olympic Track and Field, and Tri-athletes all around the world.

BRIAN HOCHEVAR

Brian has been involved with coaching at the college, junior college, and high school levels for over 35 years. During that tenure, many of his players have gone to the next level of Division I, Division II and professional baseball.

The main objectives of Brian’s pitching method is a balanced approach to mechanics, the mental game, arm care and training, and competing at a high level. “It’s all about getting hitters out.”
Brian received his Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology and Exercise Science from Colorado State University – Pueblo, where he played basketball. Out of high school, he was recruited to Division I in football, basketball and baseball. Brian was a free agent with the Denver Nuggets (NBA) in 1979, and inducted into the GPSA Hall of Fame in 1993 as both player and coach.
Brian and his wife have three children, two sons and a daughter. His son, Luke, is a former professional pitcher for the Kansas City Royals.

AJ JERGENSEN

AJ was a 2-time All-State & 3-time All-Conference at Ralston Valley High School, Colorado. He played 3 years at Francis Marion University, South Carolina and 3 years of hitting & outfield instruction for the Colorado RoughRiders.

STEPHEN McCRAY

Stephen played high school ball at Parkview High where he was drafted in the 34th round by the Tampa Bay Rays. He played 2 years at Young Harris Jr. College. IN 2007, he lead them to the NJCAA World Series. He then moved on to the University of Tennessee from 2009-10. He was drafted in 2010 MLB draft by the Chicago White Sox where he played 3 years, reaching Triple-A.

KYLE MITCHELL

From Mountain View High in Conyers, GA, Kyle has 15+ years of pitching experience. He was a 4-year starter at Oglethorpe University. Kyle is still OU’s 2nd winningest pitcher of all time with most complete games & complete game shutouts.

CALEB MOORE

Caleb is the current Head Baseball Coach at Knoxville Catholic High School, where he also played his high school ball. Moore went on to play college ball at ETSU. Moore, who played for the Bucs from 2002-05, finished his career as the all-time ETSU leader in hits, doubles and RBI. He was named second team All-American in 2004 after leading the nation in batting average and doubles, and reprised that honor as a senior in 2005. He was twice named to the All-Southern Conference team, and in 2004 was awarded SoCon Player of the Year. He is a two-time Division 1 All-American, 2004 NCAA Batting Champion, and the 2005 4th round draft pick of the Minnesota Twins.

JEFF NETTLES

Jeff was drafted by the New York Yankees in 1998 and played professionally until 2012. Nearly half a decade of his career he played for the Somerset Pirates in the Atlantic League. During which, he was voted AL Playoff MVP, seven time All-Star and hold numerous AL records.

NICK PACIOREK

Nick played high school ball at Oaks Christian in Los Angeles. He went on to play at Northwestern University, earning a degree in Economics. Nick entered college as a catcher, he converted to a pitcher.

Nick solidified himself as the team’s closer and was drafted by the NY Yankees in the 7th round of the 2019 MLB draft. Most recently, with the Hudson Valley Renegades, Nick posted a 2.63 ERA and 10.9 K/9.

ANGUS PENCE

Angus played high school ball at Farragut High School in Knoxville. He was a standout who signed with UT and went on to have a solid career at Walter’s State.

DUNCAN PENCE

Duncan was a 4-year starter at Farragut High. He participated in the JUCO World Series with Walter’s State Community College and was with the University of Tennessee Baseball 2018-19. He was a New York Mets draftee in the 2016 MLB June Amateur Draft.

CHASE PORTWOOD

Chase played high school ball at Halls High School in Knoxville. He went on to play collegiate ball at Cleveland State. Chase currently coaches a Diamond travel team.

LARRY SIMCOX

During his coaching career, over 100 players signed pro contracts, including 10 first round picks. Simcox has coached 15 players who have played MLB. Larry is a 1982 graduate of the University of Mississippi. As a senior at Ole Miss in 1981, Larry was an All-SEC shortstop after batting a team high .374.
Simcox was drafted in the 9th round by the Houston Astros. He batted .356 as Class-A Daytona Beach won the Florida State League championship. While playing in AA Columbus in 1983, a knee injury ended his professional playing days.
The Chattanooga native coached for 24 years in the Southeastern Conference, 19 at the University of Tennessee and the 5 at Ole Miss. While at UT, the Vols appeared in three College World Series, and won a pair of SEC championships. Also, three players were SEC Players of the Year (Todd Helton 1995, Jeff Pickler 1998, and Chris Burke 2001), four players won SEC batting titles (Andy Blanco 1992, Jeff Pickler 1998, Chris Burke 2001, and Chase Headley 2005) and 26 players were All-American.
Larry lives in Farragut with his wife Linda. They have two children, a daughter Erin and son, A.J.

COOPER STAPLETON

Cooper was a standout at South Doyle High School in Knoxville. From there he went on to Milligan University. Inujury cut Cooper’s playing time short, but he has turned his focus to coaching. Currently he coaches in the Diamond organization.

DYLAN WEATHERLY

Dylan grew up in Chesapeake, Virginia where he played High School Baseball at Grassfield High School. He played 4 years at Mary Baldwin University (VA). He is the Career Appearances Leader at MBU.

TURNER WHITFIELD

A native Knoxvillian, Turner was a standout at Knoxville Catholic High School. He went on to play college ball at Lincoln Memorial University (Harrogate, TN), where injury ultimately sidelined his career.

He is a graduate from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelors in Sport & Fitness Administration / Management. Turner currently serves as Head Coach of Diamond’s 16U (2023) Showcase team and Assistant Coach at Knoxville Catholic High.

ANDREW WILLIS

Andrew is a graduate of Gibbs High School, Knoxville. During high school, he was selected Two-time All-District (AA & AAA), All-Region 3-AAA and Team MVP. He played college ball at Tusculum College (Greenville, TN).

Andrew was named the Tusculum Athletics Comeback Player of the Year, after returning from a line drive to the face injury. He posted a 0.96 ERA in his last three appearances.