Hattiesburg head baseball coach Brent Barham is stepping aside from his head coaching role before the 2026 baseball season starts, a source told the Pine Belt News.
Barham was entering his 22nd year at the school, and sixth year as a head coach. His career record was 61-66.
Chris Bedenbaugh has been named interim head coach of the Hattiesburg High School Tigers Baseball Team, Hattiesburg schools announced.
Known to players and students as “Coach B,” Bedenbaugh is a proud product of Hattiesburg Public Schools and a 2010 Hattiesburg High School graduate. As he steps into this new leadership role, he reflects on his experiences at HHS and expresses his excitement and readiness for the upcoming season.
“Coach Barham left some big shoes to fill,” said Bedenbaugh. “He is the most detail-oriented person I know, and I plan on carrying that with me during my time as head coach. ‘Be where you have to be. Do what you have to do.’ That’s what he taught me — the Tiger Standard. The standard is the standard, and it never changes.”
Returning to the same field where he once played, Coach B credits much of his preparation to Barham and his experience coaching at every level of the program, including middle school, ninth grade, junior varsity, and now varsity. He enters this role prepared to build strong relationships with student-athletes and compete at the highest level.
The Tigers finished the 2024–2025 season third in the district and will open their season at a jamboree in Richton, Mississippi, on Saturday, February 7th.
The home opener is scheduled for Mardi Gras Day on February 17th.
