“You can’t believe how many people told us, ‘He’s the next great baseball coach,’” Temple athletic director Bryce Monsen said of Matt Pullen, who was approved and hired at Monday’s Temple ISD school board meeting.
Pullen, a Taylor and Mary Hardin-Baylor graduate, had spent the last eight years as an assistant at Georgetown. He replaces longtime coach Larry Haynes, who retired last month after 23 seasons.
Prior to his time in Georgetown, Pullen was the Crusaders’ starting shortstop from 1997-2000 and spent the ’01 season as a student assistant. Pullen still holds UMHB’s career record with 42 doubles.
“It kind of feels like coming home,” Pullen said.
Having a big hand in a successful Georgetown program that had won nearly 100 games in the last three seasons certainly helped Pullen. The Eagles won district titles in the last two seasons and advanced the Class 5A regional finals in 2007 and ’08.
But more than that, Monsen was looking for someone who possessed winning qualities off the field as well.
“His integrity, enthusiasm and character were impeccable,” Monsen said. “We’re very excited about his enthusiasm for the game.”
Just the Wildcats third coach since 1981, Pullen’s first order of business is meeting his new team, which he plans to do this week.
“The kids have to get to know me, trust is going to be big,” Pullen said. “I have to earn their trust.”
Pullen, who will also serve as a football assistant and coach tight ends and running backs, inherits a team that returns most of its starters and finished 11-19, losing in the bi-district round of the 5A playoffs. The Wildcats bring back all-district players Dillon Mangham, Allen Rostovich, Isaac Matamoros and Nich Crosswhite.
Pullen’s small-ball style fits a team that doesn’t have many power hitters but was able to find ways to move runners into scoring position.
“Fundamentals are huge,” Pullen said. “It’s about pitching and defense.”
But Pullen also jumps into a district that’s top-heavy with perennial playoff contenders Belton, Bryan and College Station A&M Consolidated.
Getting Temple back into that conversation on a consistent basis will be his biggest challenge.
“It’s a great district, very competitive,” Pullen said. “It’s something I look forward to."
rschneider@temple-telegram.com
