New Head Baseball Coach

The Bishop Ward Athletics Department is proud to welcome the new Head Baseball Coach, Jason Daugherty, for the 2024-2025 season.

Currently at Park Hill, Coach Daugherty has been teaching science for 24 years.  A large part of his coaching career was at Springfield Catholic High School in southwest Missouri, before moving on to coach at the class 6 level

Coach Daugherty brings to the baseball program a vast array of experience and accomplishments with his 21 years of coaching high school baseball. He also coached on the collegiate level at William Jewell College and Mission University.  

Daugherty’s overall high school head coaching record is 371-134.  He has been a National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) Coach of the Year for the Midwest Region and a National Coach of the Year Finalist.  He was also a part of the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association and NFHS Coach of the Year for the state of Missouri.  He has led previous teams to a state championship, three (3) final four appearances, seven (7) conference championships, and five (5) district championships.  He has reached a #1 state ranking at two (2) different schools along with his teams being nationally ranked.

Daugherty currently directs showcases and tournaments for Five Tool Midwest and Five Tool Arkansas. He has also been a club baseball coach and director for numerous years, is a Driveline-Certified Instructor, and is a National Sports Performance Association (NSPA) Certified Speed and Agility Coach. He has had multiple players drafted and/or played at the DI level. Daugherty is also a former NCAA player and team captain himself, earning two Golden Glove awards. 

Coach Daugherty said, “I am excited about the opportunity to lead the Baseball Program at Bishop Ward.  I want to thank Mr. Beaven and the search committee for their belief in me.  I know that God has led me here for a reason.  I’m ready to meet the team, figure out what it is going to take for us to win a state championship, and start working toward that goal.” 

“First, I'd like to thank Coach Zach Harris for his time and effort in leading our baseball program over the past five years, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors,” said Bishop Ward Athletic Director Mike Beaven. He expressed his confidence in the program’s future, adding, “I look forward to the opportunities Coach Daugherty will bring to our team and the entire baseball program. He understands the core values and significance of being at a Catholic high school, and I believe he will be a strong role model both on and off the field—not only for the baseball team but for all of our students.”

The Cyclones take the field on March 25 with JV and Varsity both playing away at Lansing (JV) and Northland Christian (Varsity).  The Varsity home-opener will be Thursday, March 27 at 4 p.m. at the Dennis Hurla Diamond against Maranatha Christian Academy.  For the Cyclones’ full JV and Varsity schedule, please visit: www.kawvalleyconference.org.

Coach Daugherty can be reached by email at:  jdaugherty@wardhigh.org.

Congratulations Coach Daugherty and GO CYCLONES!