CollegeBaseballInsider.com Co-Founder

A year ago, Louisiana-Lafayette was one win from reaching the College World Series. While many couldn’t have predicted that possibility at the beginning of the season, then Ragin’ Cajuns assistant Matt Deggs said they worked toward and expected it.

Deggs moved on after that magical season to guide the program at Sam Houston State, which has tasted Regionals each of the past three seasons and in six of the past eight.

Known for his offensive expertise, Deggs coached Texarkana College to the Junior College World Series before assisting at Arkansas, which reached the College World Series – he first coached with Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn when Van Horn led Northwestern State. Deggs also spent five successful seasons at Texas A&M before stepping aside for health and family reasons. He then spent two years with the Cajuns: All they did was go 101-30 and boast one of the most potent offenses in the country.

Deggs took time to answer questions from CBI about leading the Bearkats.

First Inning – What attracted you to Sam Houston State?

I’m born & raised in Texas City, Texas...This is home for me and my family, and there is no place like home! SHSU has a strong baseball pride and tradition with great support, facilities and location... Everything it takes to win at a very high level.

Second Inning – How difficult was it to leave Louisiana-Lafayette?

Harder than you think...My family and I had an absolutely great experience there. The relationships with the coaches, staff, players and supporters will last a lifetime...That’s the Cajun Culture...once you’re “In” you’re “In” and just like family. Great place, even better people!

Third Inning – Entering last season, could you have imagined the season the Ragin’ Cajuns had, earning a No. 1 ranking, hosting a Super Regional and coming within a game of Omaha?

Yes. We visualized it, worked toward it and expected it. The only thing we couldn’t imagine was not getting to Omaha. Matthew 19:26 “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” That’s what we live by.

Fourth Inning – Can you describe your “Pack Mentality” offensive style?

“For the strength of The Pack is The Wolf, But the strength of the Wolf is The Pack.” ~Rudyard Kipling

Fifth Inning – You’ve coached with the likes of Dave Van Horn (Arkansas), Rob Childress (Texas A&M) and Tony Robichaux (ULL) – what’s one thing from each of them that you’ve learned?

Dave Van Horn is a natural born winner, who wins at everything he does (Name the game: golf, basketball, pool... doesn’t matter, Dave is going to win), and not only is he going to win, he is going to expect to win... losing is just not an option. I witnessed him drain a 50-foot putt about 20 years ago on hole No. 18 to shoot even par (72)... he plays golf about two times a year. I loved being in the dugout with Dave...you know you are never out of it, and most importantly he lets his guys work!

Rob Childress: Not only did I get to work with Rob for eight years, he is one of my best buddies. No greater feeling than going to work with your closest friends. Rob has the uncanny ability to get guys to do what they don’t want to do and like it... the mark of a great leader. Players play hard for Rob because he leads from the front and demands it and players respond to that. Rob is a relationship builder... he builds relationships with his guys that stand the test of time. Rob is also one of the best recruiters and evaluators I have ever been around.

Tony Robichaux: I owe the rest of my career to Coach Robe... he is a man that believes in second chances and he gave me a second chance when nobody else would. Coach Robe was my boss but became so much more than that: Mentor, Friend, Confidant, Big Brother... he and Colleen became like family when we needed it most. Coach Robe is the finest Christian leader of men that I have ever been blessed to work with! When they say: “God has a plan”... GOD HAS A PLAN! It’s up to you to take the action. I learned too many life lessons from Coach Robe to even begin to list them. Great man!

Sixth Inning – You inherit a program that has won the Southland Conference three straight years. Do you see any similarities to the ULL program?

Yes. The two are very comparable, and I love that. Great tradition, great support, great facilities, great location and great vision and leadership from the top. In today’s game both universities have what it takes to compete at a very high level nationally.

Seventh Inning – What are some of the Bearkats’ strengths heading into 2015?

We have rock-solid veterans on this TEAM that love to compete and play hard ... they understand the standards and where the bar is at... they helped get it there. There is a lot of expectation and tradition in this program and that is a credit to the players here now, the players that have gone before them and the job that Mark Johnson and David Pierce did during their time here.

Eighth Inning – You were the head coach at Texarkana College and guided it to the Junior College World Series and you were an assistant at Arkansas when it played in the College World Series. Describe those experiences.

What I remember most about the Texarkana experience was how special a group they were to coach... I absolutely love those guys! Just a collection of “Old School,” blue-collar, dirt-eaters that loved to compete and most of all loved each other! The greatest part of the Arkansas run to Omaha was that we were picked to come in 10^th out of 12 teams in the SEC… We ended up winning the SEC title, became a national seed, Brady Toops hit a ninth inning grand slam to win our Regional and the rest is history… for further explanation see the fourth-inning question about Dave Van Horn. That season truly was a Miracle!!!

Ninth Inning – What is your favorite hitting drill?

The “Two-Headed Monster”...You either compete or the “Monster” takes your lunch money and makes you like it!