Jerry Haines

Over the past two decades, Jerry Haines has turned Eastern High School softball into one of Indiana’s elite programs while winning the school’s
only IHSAA team state championships.

Haines has been involved in the Comets’ varsity program since its inception in 1984. He was an assistant coach to Walt Nicholson before taking
over the program in 1995. In 17 years, his Comets have never had a losing season, winning two state championships – Class A in 2003, 1-0 over
Tecumseh in 12 innings and Class 2A in 2005, 4-2 over Frankton. His teams have also won 11 sectionals and 4 regionals.

He has also been selected to coach in the Indiana North-South All-Star series four times (1998, 2002, 2003 and 2005). Twelve of his players have
also participated in the series. Haines has compiled one of the finest won-lost records of any Howard County coach, at 381-107. Haines’ victory
total is seventh best among all past and present state softball coaches. His teams’ best records came in the state championship years, 31-4 in 2003
and 31-3 in 2005.

Haines is a lifelong Greentown resident, graduating from Eastern in 1960 where he participated in football and track. He graduated from Purdue
University in 1965 and worked in engineering management at Delphi Corp. before retiring in 2000. Haines has also been the driving force behind all
Eastern and Greentown softball having been heavily involved in the youth program for the past 28 years.