His competitive nature is hidden well behind his calm demeanor and it is easy to tell that this group of teens respects their coach. He is patient but only to an extent. Doug Baggett is the varsity basketball and baseball coach at Tabb and has been since he first arrived here in the early 1980s.

“He doesn’t really yell. He’s calm about things,” said varsity basketball player of three years Stephen Sherwood. “He’s not one of those coaches who gets up and screams.”

Jordan Barsell a varsity basketball player of three years adds, “He’s the best looking coach in the district. I don’t know about his coaching.”

What many do not know about Coach Baggett is that he loved to play practical jokes on people.

“Coach Baggett had this huge sports equipment bag and there was this tiny, little girl in one of his classes, so as a joke we decided to put the bag on the principals’ desk and the girl got in it. When the principal came in the girl started moving, which scared her because she had no idea what was inside. It was so funny,” says Connie Minick who has known Baggett since he coached at York Middle. “We played lots of practical jokes on people when we worked at York.”

History teacher, Wrestling and Softball Coach, and best friend of Baggett, Doug Roper said “He enjoys life. He’s a family man and is fun to be around. He is well rounded and he doesn’t mind expressing himself.”

Roper has known Baggett for 26 years, and looks back on the times, “after practice when we would take his boat out onto the York River to fish.” Besides fishing Baggett enjoys collecting Civil War artifacts.

“He’s a nice person. [A] Wonderful person. He’ll do anything for you that he can. He’s one of those types of people, the knowledgeable and caring type,” said librarian Lavia Bolden.

Sometimes it is hard for teens to relate to teachers and other adults, but most Tabb students seem to have the opposite opinion for Coach Baggett.

“He’s a great motivator, baseball coach and mentor,” said Senior Drew Hayes, who was previously coached by Baggett on the Varsity Baseball team.

Students and staff showed their support for Baggett this basketball season by purchasing “Baggettball” t-shirts.

In high school Baggett played basketball and baseball. There his baseball coach had a major impact on Baggett’s decision to become a coach himself.

“He was like a second father to me {and really helped me out}.”

As a high school student Baggett, “Loved everyday. Athletically. The work part-not so much,” he jokingly adds.

Baggett grew up in a rural setting in Suffolk, Virginia. Before coming to Tabb in the early 1980’s, Baggett taught at York Middle School. Currently Baggett coaches two varsity sports and teaches two 9th grade classes and three elective junior/senior classes.

One aspect that perhaps sets Baggett apart from other adults is that he understands his students and genuinely cares for them.

“I enjoy the kids. I like to watch them grow up. See where they are ten years from now. To see them excel in things other than sports; that is my favorite part,” he said.

While coaching teenagers is not an easy job Baggett understands that not stressing about the small hindrances is important.

“You have to understand kids to be a good coach. You have to know what makes them tick. Most kids struggle with criticism. They know when they sign up for my programs that I’m going to push their buttons, but dealing with constructive criticism takes getting use to,” said Baggett.

“He never questions the players or makes them feel stupid. Later he’ll talk to them but he treats them like his son. He is probably more fair to them than their fathers,” said 11th grade guidance counselor Brad Williams.

Tabb’s athletics has evolved over the past 25 years since Baggett has been here, especially in basketball and baseball.

“Basketball and baseball have only had about four losing seasons out of the 25 years I’ve coached here. My first season and three other years since then were losing seasons but I often think about that first season because they worked so hard even though the tallest kid on the team was my height,” Baggett said.

“We have had two baseball state finals. But it changes from year to year. You find something new that you like about each year. It is always changing,” said Baggett.

“He’s intense,” said Williams, “He gets so hyped up after wins that he can’t sleep and after loses he can’t sleep either because he is thinking about how to win next time.”

Baggett’s intensity has lead to several wins for Tabb and his personable approach has lead to many lasting friendships while here at Tabb.