HAMLET — After a couple of weeks of searching, and several rounds of interviews for both positions, Richmond Senior High School has named a new athletic director and head baseball coach.
Approved by the Richmond County Board of Education during a meeting Thursday evening, Mike Way will serve as the new athletic director and Eric Brown will be the new skipper of the Raiders.
Both Way and Brown replace Rob Ransom, who retired from North Carolina public education in June.
Ransom held the role as both Richmond’s AD and baseball coach from the 2019-20 through the 2022-23 school years.
Superintendent Dr. Joe Ferrell said in a press release, “We are delighted to welcome both Eric Brown and Mike Way to Richmond County Schools. Their combined expertise, dedication and vision will undoubtedly elevate our baseball program and strengthen our overall athletic program.
“We believe their leadership will inspire our student-athletes to strive for excellence both on and off the field. We extend our warmest congratulations and look forward to witnessing the positive impact they will have on our students and community.”
Mike Way, athletic director
After an initial round of interviews was held on June 29, Way was one of three finalists to be interviewed again on Wednesday before the school sent its decision to the Board of Education.
Way is no stranger to Richmond or its athletics program, as the lifelong Richmond County native graduated from Raider Nation in 1993.
A four-year golfer at Richmond, Way was a three-year captain of the UNC-Greensboro golf team. He was named the Big South Conference’s player of the year as a junior.
Since the 2016-17 school year, Way has been a physical education teacher at Richmond.
During that span, Way has spent the past four years as the head softball coach, the last six years as the swimming coach and has also had stints coaching the girls’ tennis and boys’ golf teams.
Eric Brown, head baseball coach
One of several candidates who applied for the position, Brown also has deep roots with Richmond County and the Raider baseball program.
Brown will return to his high school alma mater and bring with him a wealth of collegiate and professional playing experience, as well as success as a high school coach.
Playing his college ball at Wingate University, Brown was selected in the 18th round of the 2005 MLB June Amateur Draft by the New York Mets.
After five seasons in the minor leagues and making it to AA ball, Brown served as Wingate’s pitching coach.
Brown has been the head coach at West Charlotte, Laney and most recently Cox Mills high schools. He spent six years at Laney before moving to Cox Mills last year.
This is a developing story. The Richmond Observer will publish feature articles on both Way and Brown in the coming weeks.
