Hokie ClubVirginia Tech head baseball coach John Szefc announced several additions to his staff on June 22, 2017 and that included bringing in former Maryland volunteer assistant Corey Haines to Blacksburg to be Tech’s Director of Baseball Operations. The 2020 season marked his third with the program.
Haines spent the previous five seasons in College Park, Maryland with Szefc and worked a total of eight years with the Terrapins. He was a student assistant with the program from 2009-11 while earning his degree from the school. After a year at Shippensburg, he returned to his alma mater to handle various aspects within the program.
At Maryland, Haines was responsible for on-campus recruiting, tour visits and being a liaison between the baseball staff and the athletic department. He also prepared scouting reports, worked with the infielders and hitters, and was the primary leader of the baseball camps.
His five seasons in Maryland, in which the team went 180-122, were highlighted by the back-to-back 2014 and 2015 Super Regional appearances attained by the program. The team won a school record 40 games in 2014 and won the Columbia Regional then reset the program record for victories with 42 in 2015 and a won in the Los Angeles Regional in 2015. The team won 38 games and also made an NCAA Regional in 2017.
Haines coached 14 players who have been drafted and signed professional contracts in his six-year coaching career, including 2017 draftees Kevin Smith and Marty Costes, 2015 draftees Brandon Lowe, LaMonte Wade, Jose Cuas and Kevin Martir, and 2014 draftees Charlie White and Blake Schmit,
Haines primarily worked with the infielders and hitters and assisted in the development of second baseman Brandon Lowe. After missing the 2013 season with a knee injury, Lowe finished second in the ACC in hitting (.348) and on-base percentage (.464), led the team in slugging (.464) and tied for the team lead in RBI (42). Lowe earned freshman All-American honors from Baseball America, Louisville Slugger, NCBWA and Perfect Game becoming the first Maryland player to earn those honors since 2002.
While at Shippensburg, Haines coached the infielders and hitters and was in charge of base running. During the 2012 season, Shippensburg finished with a 32- 21 record, a nine-win improvement from the year before. The offensive production increased as well during the 2012 season, with increases in several offensive categories including a 22-point increase in slugging percentage (.370 to .392) as the Raiders had three position players earn All- PSAC East honors: Tyler Shover, Cody Kulp and Pat Kregeloh. Shippensburg wound up playing in the Division II World Series in 2013.
Prior to the 2012 season, Haines spent three years as a volunteer and student assistant coach with the Terps. Between 2009- 2011, Haines coached two players that signed professional contracts, Alfredo Rodriguez and AJ Casario.
Haines served as the head coach of the Alexandria Aces in the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League in the summers of 2011 and 2012, where he instructed some of the best amateur collegiate baseball players in the country. Haines also managed the East team in the 2012 CRCBL All-Star game and took Alexandria to its first playoff appearance in franchise history in 2012
While at the helm of the Aces, two players signed professional contracts, right-handed pitcher Michael Boyden (31st round with Washington Nationals) and first baseman and outfielder Chris Sweeney (free agent contract with Kansas City Royals).
As a player, Haines spent two seasons as a second baseman with Cecil College, appearing in the regional championship in 2007 and winning the Maryland JUCO state title in 2008. He also played with Cecil American Legion, winning state legion championships in 2006 and 2007.
A native of Elkton, Md., Haines is a graduate of North East High School. He earned four varsity letters with the Indians, winning a Maryland 2A state championship in 2006.
Haines graduated from Maryland in 2011 with a degree in kinesiology. He and his wife Kayley reside in Christiansburg.