Sam Temple – Baseball (Player & Coach) | 1990-1991, 2006-2021
Sam Temple's impact on Hinds baseball spans more than three decades as both a student-athlete and coach.
Temple first played catcher for the Eagles from 1990-91 before returning to Hinds in 2006 to lead the baseball program. Over 16 seasons, Temple established himself as one of the most successful coaches in program history, compiling 446 career victories.
Under Temple's leadership, the Eagles captured three MACJC State Championships in 2010, 2012 and 2015, two Region 23 Championships in 2014 and 2017 and made two NJCAA College World Series appearances in 2014 and 2017.
His 2014 team advanced to the NJCAA National Championship game, while the 2015 squad set a school record for wins while claiming the program's third state championship under his leadership.
Temple earned MACJC Coach of the Year honors three times, in 2010, 2012 and 2017. He was also named South Region Coach of the Year in 2014 and Mississippi Association of Coaches Coach of the Year in 2015. In 2018, he was selected to help coach the NJCAA National Team in the NBC World Series in Wichita, Kansas.
Perhaps Temple's greatest impact came through his commitment to developing student-athletes. More than 130 Hinds players went on to compete at four-year universities or professionally during his tenure, including more than 70 who continued their careers at NCAA Division I programs.
Before returning to Hinds, Temple coached at Warren Central High School, Clinton High School and Mississippi College. Following his retirement from Hinds, he returned to Clinton High School as head baseball coach and assistant athletic director.
Temple and his wife, Kristen, reside in Clinton with their three children, Garren, Gage and Grayson.
