Columbus school replaces 6-time state champion coach with crosstown rival
The week after their six-time state champion head baseball coach resigned, Calvary Christian School announced the hiring of his successor — from a crosstown rival in Columbus.
Matt Ward, who was the head baseball coach this past season at St. Anne Pacelli Catholic School, takes over the Calvary program from Steve Smith, who cited “personal reasons” for resigning after 13 seasons at Calvary.
Ward’s baseball coaching experience in the Columbus area includes stints as head coach at Valley High School and assistant coach at Harris County High School and Chattahoochee Valley Community College.
“I feel very grateful, humbled and excited for the opportunity to coach baseball at Calvary Christian,” Ward said in the school’s news release. “The responsibility of leading a baseball program with such a rich history isn’t something I take lightly. The support and commitment from administration, parents and community is second to none. My goal is to continue on the success of leading young men to be the best they can be in all facets of life.”
Calvary’s baseball team finished Smith’s last season with a 19-17 record, including a three-game sweep of Pacelli, which went 7-23 in Ward’s only season there.
Before moving to the Columbus area, Ward was the pitching coach at Mars Hill University in North Carolina and at his alma mater, Carson Newman University in Tennessee, where he was a pitcher while earning a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He then earned a master’s degree in education from Tusculum College in Greenville, Tennessee.
Ward’s son, Carson, is a 2024 graduate of Calvary and helped the Knights win a state baseball championship that year.
“We are blessed to have Coach Ward step in and lead our tradition-rich baseball program,” Calvary head of school Jonathan Norton said in the news release. “Coach Ward’s combined experience at both the high school and college levels as well as his reputation for developing players both on and off the field, make him a perfect fit for Calvary.”
Pacelli comments about Matt Ward’s departure
Asked to comment about Ward’s departure, St. Anne-Pacelli communications director Jennifer Sillitto told the Ledger-Enquirer in an email Tuesday, “St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School confirms that it has parted ways with Head Baseball Coach Matt Ward and that he has accepted an opportunity at another GIAA member, local private school. “We thank Coach Ward for his service to Pacelli Baseball and to our student-athletes during his year with our program, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors. Pacelli remains deeply committed to the proud tradition and future of Vikings Baseball. A search for our next Head Baseball Coach is already underway, and we are confident we will identify a strong, loyal leader who is committed to the continued growth and development of our student-athletes both on and off the field. Our focus remains on providing a first-class experience for our players and building a baseball program that reflects the values, expectations, and standards of St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School.”
New assistant coach for Calvary Christian baseball
Calvary Christian also announced the hiring of Wade Pirkle as the baseball program’s new assistant coach.
Pirkle played baseball at Hardaway High School and was a Junior College All-American at Jefferson State Community College in Center Point, Alabama, while also being named conference MVP.
He graduated from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where he helped lead the baseball team to two conference championships and was named All Southland Conference.
Pirkle has been an assistant baseball coach at Pacelli, Northside High School and Harris County High School. He managed the 2022 Harris County Little League state championship team.
