29 Rusty Thompson
Rusty Thompson

Bio

B.A., Bethel University, 2000
M.A.T., Bethel University, 2002

Coach Rusty Thompson (415-345-3) enters his 18th season as head coach of Bethel baseball in 2024-25.

Thompson graduated from Hardin County High School before playing four years at Bethel College for Coach Glenn Hayes. While at Bethel, he earned team MVP honors twice, was named All-State as a second baseman and received All-Conference honors in his senior season. Coach Thompson holds the school record for saves in a season (11). He also is in the top 10 in records for hits in a season (72), single season batting average (412) and a career batting average of .350.

Bethel finished the 2010 season with a record of 32-17-1. That year, the Wildcats entered the NAIA Top 25 poll for the first time in program history and were ranked as high as 13th. Thompson's 2011 team advanced to the TranSouth Conference tournament championship game. Bethel was outstanding at home that season, sporting a 19-4-1 record in McKenzie, and was ranked as high as 10th in the NAIA Top 25 poll. His 2012 team finished 31-22 overall and 15-9 in TranSouth Conference play. In 2013, Thompson led Bethel to its first TranSouth Conference baseball regular season championship. The Wildcats went 11-1 in league games and 30-14 overall. He has recorded six 30-win seasons during his tenure at Bethel.

Coach Thompson graduated from Bethel College with a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Arts in Teaching. He is the son of Richard and Kathy Thompson of Savannah, Tenn., and is the brother of pitching coach Nick Thompson. He resides in McKenzie with his two sons Ripken and Rex.

Coaching Record

Year Overall Conference
2008 31-17 (.646) 11-12 (.478)
2009 17-26 (.395) 6-13 (.316)
2010 32-17-1 (.650) 10-10 (.500)
2011 27-22-2 (.549) 10-14 (.417)
2012 31-22 (.585) 15-9 (.625)
2013 30-14 (.682) 11-1 (.917)
2014 24-19 (.558) 14-16 (.467)
2015 18-26 (.409) 13-13 (.500)
2016 28-21 (.571) 11-12 (.478)
2017 27-22 (.551) 13-11 (.542)
2018 22-24 (.478) 12-12 (.500)
2019 30-20 (.600) 15-11 (.577)
2020 10-9 (.526) 3-3 (.500)
2021 20-19 (.513) 13-11 (.542)
2022 18-24 (.429) 13-10 (.565)
2023 18-29 (.383) 12-15 (.444)
2024 32-14 (.696) 10-8 (.556)
Career 415-345-3 (.546) 192-181 (.515)