Chris Biggs returns to alma mater to take over La Vergne baseball program

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Chris Biggs was an instrumental part of La Vergne's lone state baseball championship.

Two decades later Biggs will hope to start steering the Wolverines back to success on the diamond.

Biggs has been hired to take over the La Vergne baseball program after Kyle Douglas resigned to go back to Coffee County, where he had previously coached.

"It does make it more special (returning to your alma mater for your first head coaching job)," said Biggs, a 2002 La Vergne graduate who played second base on the 2001 Class AAA state champions. "I spent four years there making a lot of memories. That makes it a little more exciting to go back, for sure."

Douglas was the Wolverines' coach for one season, which was almost completely wiped out by COVID-19.

Biggs spent the past 10 seasons as an assistant under Barry Messer at Riverdale. He was part of four teams that reached the state (2012-14, 2019).

"It's hard to put your finger on one thing (learned at Riverdale)," Biggs said. "This district is so competitive. Every year you're trying different stuff, just to try to stay up with the Joneses."

La Vergne will be a challenging first head coaching job for Biggs, especially competing in a tough District 7-AAA.

The Wolverines went 5-23 (2-16 in district play) in 2019 and 0-25 (0-18) in 2018. La Vergne did enjoy some success as recently as 2015, going 13-13 (7-7). From 2013-14 the Wolverines combined to go 45-18 (17-10).

"It's definitely a building position," Biggs said. "We're going to really aim for growth. That's the main thing we're looking for. If we grow every day, we'll have a chance. Obviously the district is very good. Some of the best talent in the state is out of Murfreesboro.

"It's definitely going to be a challenge competing night-in, night-out with the Siegels, Riverdales, Blackmans and Oaklands. There's no easy days, that's for sure. Obviously the kids that have been at La Vergne know that."

Biggs will be La Vergne's third coach in three years.

"Coach Biggs is someone I've watched for years coach and build relationships with his players," said La Vergne athletic director Jeremy Moore. "We are very excited about the future of La Vergne baseball under the leadership of Coach Biggs."

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.