New Post 45 coach plans to continue to lead Legion program ‘the right way’

ASHEBORO — There’s always been one way to lead the Randolph County Post 45 baseball program and that way has been the right way.

From Charlie Robbins, to Darryl Rich, to Martin Smith, to Rich Smith, to Tony McKee, to Tony Joyce, to Eric Hall and to a host of others, the only way the program has been led since its inception has been the right way.

And first-year head coach Andrew Connor said nothing will change when he takes over the reins for this upcoming summer season.

Connor steps in for Ronnie Pugh, who guided the program the last 21 seasons.

“Enormous shoes,” Connor said of taking over for Pugh, who is in the American Legion Hall of Fame. “I have learned so much from him. He’s like another dad to me. We have had a good time with that joke, but realistically, it’s pretty much like that. I am going to miss him this summer. It won’t be the same being out there without him.”

Connor has been Pugh’s assistant for nearly 15 years and admits there won’t be many changes, if any, when he takes over.

“I don’t think so,” he asked about immediate changes to the program. “We’ll just stick with the game plan he’s provided and continue it. It worked for so long.”

Connor has plenty of coaching experience, not only assisting at the American Legion level but in middle school baseball, at the high school level and other levels of baseball throughout his coaching career.

“Coach Pugh had the most impact on shaping me as a coach and doing the most for the kids,” Connor said. “Going about it the right way and treating people right. I don’t see us being much different than what we have been. He has the recipe for success and we’ll just try and continue his vision.

“Post 45 is a special program and it has been for an extremely long time. The kids in this county mean so much to me. I love watching past players play in college. It means a lot.”

When Pugh announced he wouldn’t be returning this summer, Connor admitted he was caught off guard.

“I never imagined that I would be the head coach,” he said. “I figured Coach Pugh would be there forever and we would ride off into the sunset together. But he beat me to it.”

There will be 16 teams this year in Area III, eight in each division. Along with Post 45, the Northern Division includes Liberty, Aberdeen, Chatham County, Moore County, Hamlet, High Point and Davidson County. The Southern Division will consist of Mocksville, Rowan County, Kannapolis, Mooresville, Union County, Matthews, Queen City and Wadesboro.

“Just find the right fit of guys to make your team,” Connor said. “Guys who can click, who can play together. It’s an awesome feeling when you have two rival schools and you have the best players off those teams and they become best friends and continue the friendship throughout their lives. I just want to do the best I can for the kids in the county and work my tail off for them.”