Carlton Hardy is now in his second year at the helm of the Alcorn Baseball program, arriving to “The Reservation” from Savannah State University on August 8, 2024. Hardy came to Alcorn after spending 19 storied years at Savannah State, guiding the program across both the Division I and Division II landscape of athletics. He is known for his ability to develop student-athletes both on and off the field.
 
The 2025 edition of Braves Baseball saw Hardy guide the Purple and Gold to six wins with a team he completely inherited from the previous staff. Along the way, he guided Jermel Ford and Nathan Gamez to hit above .340 each across the campaign. As for Ford, he also swiped 42 bases in 45 attempts on the year.
 
During the 2024 season, Hardy led the Tigers to a 31-17 overall record and a 21112 mark in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) play. Savannah State finished as SIAC Baseball Championship runner-up in both 2023 and 2024, respectfully.
 
In 2022, the program captured the SIAC regular season title with a dominant 28-2 conference mark.
 
Throughout his tenure, Hardy earned numerous honors, including Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Coach of the Year (2013), MEAC Outstanding Coach of the Year (2013), SIAC Coach of the Year (2022), and NCAA Division I College Baseball Coach of the Year (2013).
 
Additionally, in 2013, Hardy ended the dynasty of Bethune-Cookman, winning the 2013 MEAC Tournament title, and snapping BCU’s streak of seven consecutive tournament championships in the process. He coached Kyle McGowin, the 2013 MEAC Pitcher of the Year and MEAC Tournament MVP. The Tigers finished the year 33-23 overall, and advanced to the NCAA Tallahassee [Fla.] Regional hosted by Florida State. In that Regional, the Tigers fell in the elimination game 3-2 to Southeastern Conference (SEC) foe Alabama in one of the most thrilling games of the entire Regional.
 
Hardy’s commitment to excellence has extended beyond wins and championships.
 
Under his leadership, student-athletes earned three conference players of the year accolades, three freshman of the year honors, three pitcher of the year awards, and three relief pitcher of the year distinctions, respectively. He has also mentored three MLB free agent signees and seven professional players. Academically, his program received the Team Academic Award for Highest Male Team GPA for seven consecutive years.
 
A native of Los Angeles, California, Hardy has consistently transformed programs throughout his career.
 
He arrived at Savannah State in January 2006, and quickly led the team to a 30-19 record – the best winning percentage among all 14 Independent Division I programs that season. The team also led all independents in stolen bases and finished second in team earned run average (ERA). Signature wins included a series victory over Northeastern, a series finale victory from nationally ranked Florida State, and a 24-9 record against Historically Black College/University (HBCU) programs.
 
Prior to Savannah State, Hardy served as head coach at Olivet College (Mich.), where he expanded the roster from 17 to 52 players, and guided the program to conference championship contention in four of his six seasons at the helm.
 
His first collegiate head coaching role came at Talladega in Alabama, where he rebuilt a program that had been dormant for five years. Working without an assistant coach, Hardy resurrected the program and led Talladega to a 36-20 record in just his second season – the most wins in a single season in school history, in addition to a sectional tournament championship appearance.
 
As a player, Hardy starred for four seasons at Grambling State, earning multiple postseason and conference honors.
 
He was a First Team All-SWAC selection in 1991, and was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 37th round of the 1991 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft as a third baseman. His collegiate accolades also include First Team SWAC All-Tournament and First Team All-SWAC honors in 1990, when he was named SWAC Most Outstanding
Hitter and Team Most Outstanding Hitter – along with honorable mention All-Louisiana recognition.
 
In 1989, he was named to the All-Tournament Team.
 
Hardy’s career reflects a deep commitment to building competitive excellence, player development, and academic excellence. He is an active member of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), the Georgia High School Coaches Association, and the Alabama Coaches Association.