WILSON, N.C. – Barton College has named Matt Padgett its new Head Baseball Coach, school officials announced earlier today.  Padgett takes over for Keith Gorman, who stepped down two weeks ago to take the helm at USC Aiken.

Padgett comes to Barton after serving as an Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Limestone University in Gaffney, S.C., for the past two seasons (2024-25).  Padgett helped lead the Saints to their first winning season and a berth in the postseason for the first time in 14 years this past spring.

“I’m incredibly grateful to President Dr. Doug Searcy and Director of Athletics Ken Tyler for the opportunity to lead Barton College Baseball,” said Padgett.  “I’m excited to build on the program’s strong tradition of success and to help develop outstanding student-athletes on and the field.  Go Bulldogs!”

“We’re excited to name Matt Padgett as our next Head Baseball Coach,” said Ken Tyler, Barton Vice President and Director of Athletics.  “Matt is a true baseball man who loves the game and will be an outstanding mentor for our student-athletes.  He was a great player, starting with his time at Clemson, and then through an 18-year professional career.  Matt has experience as an Assistant and Head Coach and is well-connected in the baseball world.  His most recent position as the top assistant and recruiting coordinator at Limestone provided Matt a keen understanding of our competitive and business models at Barton.”

“More importantly, Matt knows what it means to be a great teammate, and he is a leader of strong character.  We welcome Matt and his wife, Laurie, to the Barton family and we can’t wait for him to get started!”

Prior to Limestone, Matt served as an Assistant Coach at Columbia International University in Columbia, S.C., for three seasons (2021-23).  Matt helped the squad win the 2021 NCCAA National Championship.

Padgett also spent time on the summer collegiate baseball scene, serving as Head Coach for the Lexington County Blowfish (2019-20) of the Coastal Plain League and Manager/Head Coach and Assistant Coach of the New Jersey Jackals (2016-18) as part of the Independent Frontier League. 

Padgett coached at the high school level as well, heading up Ben Lippen School in Columbia, S.C., from 2017 to 2020 and led the squad to two consecutive state finals.

Padgett earned his bachelor’s degree from Columbia International University and played four years at Clemson University (1995-98).  Padgett, a Lexington, S.C., native, was a fifth round pick by the Florida Marlins and spent time with the Marlins, Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs organizations.