CLEVELAND, Miss. – Delta State University head baseball coach Rodney Batts announced the hiring of former Statesmen Luke Stanley '16 as the assistant coach for the Delta State baseball program.
 
"I'm happy to be back home at Delta State." Said Stanley. "I am looking forward to help continue to add on to the successful history that the Statesmen baseball program holds."
 
Stanley returns to the #DSUFamily after spending four seasons at Mississippi Delta College in Moorhead. As a Trojan, Stanley spent one season as an assistant coach and three seasons as the Head Coach for the Mississippi Delta College baseball program.
 
During his time in Moorhead, Stanley gained experience in coaching, recruiting, scholarship management, individual and team mentoring, team scheduling, budgetary management and academic advising. Stanley was a part of renovating the Mississippi Delta College baseball facility by adding sidewalks and a batter's eye in 2021.
 
"We are excited about adding Coach Stanley to our staff." Head Coach Rodney Batts said. "He is a Delta State guy and loves this program and school.   He is a high energy guy that will work extremely hard with our players.   He brings a great knowledge of the game to our program and will be a great asset for us."
 
Before Mississippi Delta College, Stanley served as a student assistant, and a graduate assistant coach from the 2017-19 seasons here at Delta State. During his time as a student and graduate assistant, The Statesmen had three consecutive 40-win seasons, including a NCAA Division II College Baseball World Series appearance in 2017.
 
Before his time coaching, the Oxford, Miss., native played two seasons for the Statesmen after transferring from Northeast Mississippi Community College.  Stanley played in 15 games with three starts his senior year and saw action in 25 career games at shortstop and second base.
 
In two seasons with Northeast Mississippi, Stanley was a First-Team MJCAA All-State selection and earned a Region 23 Gold Glove award at shortstop. Stanley hit .327 with four doubles, two triples, one home run, 29 RBIs and 22 runs scored in 43 games as sophomore.
 
What Other Coaches and Former Colleagues Have to Say about Stanley
 
"I had the honor of actually coaching Luke as a player and watching him as a coach in our league. He was a leader from Day 1 of his freshman year and I am excited for him and Coach Batts going forward!" Kent Farris – Northeast Mississippi Community College, Athletic Director.
 
"I had the pleasure of coaching Luke at Lafayette High School and at Northeast Mississippi Community College. He was a great player, he is a great coach, and an even better person. We love that guy, and he is going to do great things in his coaching career." Richy Harrelson – Northeast Mississippi Community College, Head Baseball Coach.

""Luke is not only a fantastic baseball coach, he's also a high character person. The combination of those two things gives him the ability to connect with players and positively impact any team he's involved with. Fantastic hire!" - Carl Lafferty - University of Mississippi, Assistant Baseball Coach

"Luke is a perfect addition to the Delta State staff. His love for that university and baseball program, from his time as a player and as a coach there, is second to none. He will bring a tireless work ethic and passion for the game. Great hire by coach Batts!" - Dan Rives - Hinds Community College, Head Baseball Coach