CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Queens University of Charlotte Director of Athletics Cherie Swarthout is pleased to announce the hiring of Jake Hendrick as the head coach of the Royals baseball program on Thursday afternoon. Hendrick comes to the Queen City after previously serving as the associate head coach at Austin Peay University last season.
 
"We knew immediately upon meeting Coach Hendrick that he would be the person to help our Royals rise to another level in a very competitive ASUN Conference," stated Swarthout. "He brings successful head coaching and program-building experience that will make an immediate impact on our players and community."
 
Last season, Hendrick was a valuable leader within the Governors program which finished 26-32 overall, and 15-15 in league play securing the No. 8 seed in the ASUN Tournament. Austin Peay bolstered an explosive pitching staff that fanned 516 batters which were fourth most in the league. The mark was only the second time in program history that the pitching staff struck out at least 500 batters. Hendrick produced three All-Conference performers this past season, including Garrett Martin, Lyle Miller-Green, and Clayton Gray. In the classroom, the Governors turned in a 3.46 GPA placing one on the ASUN All-Academic Team.
 
"Queens absolutely nailed it with the hiring of Jake Hendrick," said Governors head coach Roland Fanning. "Jake will immediately elevate the baseball program in more ways than one. Jake is a natural leader who is organized and detailed driven. He has a track record of success as a head coach during his time at Northeastern State University and he was instrumental in our growth at Austin Peay. The ASUN conference just got better with the hiring of Jake Hendrick!"
 
Prior to joining Austin Peay, Hendrick spent nine seasons at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Hendrick began his career with the River Hawks as the head assistant coach and pitching coach for two seasons. In 2015, the River Hawks posted a sub-5.00 ERA (4.86) for the first time in the program's NCAA history while also setting a program record with 350 strikeouts. That season, Ryan Helsley became NSU's highest-ever draft pick after being selected in the fifth round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals.
 
The instant success opened the door for Hendrick to take over the River Hawks program in 2016. The Naperville, Illinois native led the team to its fourth consecutive trip to the MIAA Tournament with a 27-23 record. Prior to the pandemic, NSU recorded a 28-win season, marking the most wins since 2002 while playing the seventh-toughest schedule in Division 2. That unit was led by pitcher Ben Strahm, who was selected in the 23^rd round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants.
 
The successes began mounting for Hendrick and the River Hawks in 2021 as NSU went 26-16 finishing second in the MIAA which was the highest finish in program history. Hendrick was named MIAA Coach of the Year producing 11 All-Conference players, one Gold Glove winner, one All-Region performer, and an NCAA Freshman of the Year that season. Right-handed pitcher Nic Swanson was named an ABCA Second Team All-American before being selected in the 16^th round of the MLB Draft by the Houston Astros.
 
"There's no one more deserving than Coach Hendrick, said Swanson. "He works his tail off for everyone to be the best versions of themselves. He does things the right way in order to be successful. He's passionate about the game and cares about others' success not only in the game but in life. He not only helped me become the best player that I could be but also the best person I could be. You couldn't ask for a better leader and better man to take on that role."
 
In his final season at the helm of the River Hawks in 2022, Hendrick led the squad to the most wins since becoming a full-time NCAA member with a 38-18 record, including their first NCAA regional berth in school history. NSU climbed into the Collegiate Baseball News Top 25 for the first time as the River Hawks were the only team in the country with 120+ home runs, 120+ doubles, and 120+ stolen bases. NSU hauled in postseason accolades earning two All-American nods, four All-Region selections, including the Region Player of the Year, and 12 All-Conference recipients, including the Conference Player of the Year. In the classroom, two River Hawks earned Academic All-American honors for the first time in program history.
 
Hendrick began his coaching career at Stillwater High School where he was an assistant for three seasons from 2009-12. He helped the Pioneers to a state tournament appearance in his final season. Hendrick then moved to the junior college ranks as an assistant coach at Marion Military Institute in Alabama for a season in 2013.
 
In addition, Hendrick spent two seasons in collegiate summer leagues in the Valley Baseball League. In 2012, he was the pitching coach for the Winchester Royals which won the North Division Regular Season Title and pennant en route to the Lineweaver Cup Playoffs. The following summer, he was an assistant coach for the Charles Town Cannons which finished second in the North Division.
 
Hendrick earned his bachelor's degree in business marketing with a focus in sports management from Oklahoma State University. The Illinois native completed a master's in health and human performance with a focus in sports administration from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas in 2014. Hendrick is married to Dr. Danielle Hendrick and the couple has three sons: Cooper, Cade, and Carson.
 
"I am very excited about the opportunity to be joining Queens Athletics," said Hendrick. "I want to thank Cherie specifically for the time she spent with me in this process, and I am thrilled she has placed her faith in me to lead Queens Baseball into the future. My family and I cannot wait to make Charlotte home!"
 
The Royals are coming off their first Division 1 season going 17-38 overall and 9-21 in league play. Queens embarked on a challenging schedule that featured outings against #23 South Carolina, #12 East Carolina, #15 FGCU, and #13 North Carolina. The Royals produced the ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Second Team All-Conference standout, Riley Cheek. In the classroom, two Royals were named ASUN All-Academic Team while five landed College Sports Communicators Academic All-District recognition.
 
Be sure to follow the baseball program on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with Queens Baseball throughout the offseason. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics on social media @QueensAthletics, to stay up to date with all of the Royals' Athletics.