It’s been 11 years since the last time Wendy Hogue coached a game at William Carey.
After a recent hiatus from coaching, she’s back to lead the very program that she helped turn into an NAIA powerhouse, as she was formally introduced at a press conference on Wednesday.
“I always knew that I would be back,” Hogue said. “I didn’t know when and I didn’t know where, but coaching is in my blood, and it’s what I was born to do. It’s a platform the Lord has given me, and I’m excited to be back.”
Since 2019, Hogue has served as Petal’s Athletic Director and led the softball program for three years, retiring from coaching after leading the Lady Panthers to a state championship in 2022.
“It was extremely hard to leave Petal, and it’s because of the people,” Hogue said. “It’s a great place to be.
“There have been some opportunities over the years, but Carey is just a little bit different. Carey is home…It’s always been we and us when I talk about Carey. Carey is the house that built me. It’s where I grew up.”
Hogue previously led the program from 2005 to 2014 at William Carey, where she compiled an overall record of 373-152 and led the Lady Crusaders to six NAIA tournament appearances, including a NAIA World Series runner-up finish in 2014.
“Her first couple of years, she struggled picking up a program that wasn’t in shambles, but just wasn’t very good,” William Carey Athletic Director Tracy English said. “By her fourth year, she hit her stride. In her last year, she played in the national title.
“She’s probably one of the top softball minds in the Southeast. I’ve known her for a long time, and she’s thinking about her sport all the time. She works hard and has lots of energy. She’s a perfect fit for us, and I’m glad she is back.”
Hogue, who played her collegiate career at Jones College and later at William Carey, began her coaching career at Petal. After her first stint at Carey, she led the Southern Miss softball program for five years before leaving to reclaim her old post at Petal.
“I’ve always told my teams to be where your feet are and enjoy the moment,” said Hogue on her decision to return to coaching. “All of these things you are supposed to say, and I find myself forcing myself to do that. I was surrounded by great people, but I felt like part of me was missing something for a few years just because I’ve done it for so long. I realized that it’s my purpose and not only my passion. I’m excited to be back out and working with these girls again.
“This program is very special. I was able to play as a player on the very first team back in the mid-90s. That’s when I fell in love and was first introduced to softball, which changed my entire life.”
William Carey’s previous head coach, Craig Fletcher, who posted a record of 416-151 in his tenure, will remain with the program as an assistant. Fletcher served as Hogue’s assistant from 2006 to 2014.
“We had been talking to Wendy about returning for a couple of years now when Craig was finished,” English said. “It just fell in place and was the right timing.
“Craig is going to stay on with us as an assistant, so it’ll be almost like how it started. Dr. Ben Burnett did a lot of the negotiating and talked her into it.”
Over Fletcher's 11 seasons, the Lady Crusaders won three SSAC regular season conference championships and three SSAC tournament championships. Fletcher is program’s career wins leader with an overall record of 416-151.
“Craig is one of the kindest and most steady men that you’ll ever meet in your life,” Hogue said. “He’s a heck of a softball coach. He’s a heck of a competitor. There’s not many better at teaching the fundamentals of the game.
“He’s done a great job these past 11 years. He’s won a lot of games and kept Carey softball where it needs to be. I’m excited to be back working with him.”
Hogue’s daughter, Kinley, is also a member of the team and will enter her senior season next year.
“The opportunity to be around your kids on a daily basis is pretty awesome,” Hogue said. “The fact that I get to do it on the ball field is just icing on the cake.
“There are so many memories here. Carey is a staple in my life. It was really a no-brainer that if I was coming back, it was going to be at Carey.”
Follow @PineBeltSPORTS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
