Hughes Retires After Leading Dragon Baseball for 20 Years

Hughes won his 400th game at Carroll in 2013.

Carroll baseball coach Larry Hughes has retired after 20 years leading the successful Dragon program.

Hughes stepped down at the end of the 2016 season and finished with 491 victories at Carroll and a Class 4A state championship in 2002 and 5A state runnerup finish in 2008. He also finished with 597 career victories.

“My 20 years at Carroll has been the best time of my life,” Hughes said. “The coaches, teachers, administrators and student-athletes have always been great and supportive. The friends and relationships that I’ve made over these 20 years has made it a great place and time. Carroll will always be a very special place to me.”

Since he arrived in 1997, Hughes led the Dragons to the playoffs in 19 of his 20 seasons and 70 rounds of the state playoffs. Hughes led Carroll’s transition from 4A to 5A as the program maintained its status as a state powerhouse.

Hughes coached for 30 seasons and also had head coaching stops at Dallas Jefferson and Cedar Hill.

Other highlights include numerous drafted and college players – Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling and recently-graduated shortstop Hudson Sanchez, who became the highest drafted player in school history when he was selected recently No. 24 overall by the Padres.