Troy, Tenn.–Obion County Central High School announcement the hiring of their new baseball coach at a program for the community this week.
Matthew Pickard, former Gibson Co. and Peabody High School Coach and player for Union University, has accepted a role as the school’s new baseball coach, only the 11th in the history of OCCHS, and will be joining their teaching staff as a special education teacher.
Matthew Pickard grew up in Trenton, TN and attended Trenton Special School District from Kindergarten through 12th grade. While in high school, he played baseball, basketball, and football, winning the 2014 2A State Championship in football. In his off time, he spent his summers playing with the Jackson Coyotes and Dulins Dodgers travel organizations.
After graduating from Peabody, Coach Pickard received a scholarship to play baseball at Union University. While at Union, he was on the baseball team and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Special Education in 2019. Due to an injury, surgery, and the subsequent rehab, Coach Pickard ended his playing career before graduation and began coaching while still attending Union. He played and coached under Todd Lumley at his alma mater, Peabody High School, in 2018 before joining Michael Wickersham’s staff at Gibson County High School in 2019 as Gibson County’s Pitching/Catchers coach.
After graduating from Union University, Coach Pickard accepted a teaching position at Dyer Elementary School in the Gibson County Special School District and continued to coach the Gibson County High School baseball team. After receiving his Bachelor’s degree, Coach Pickard continued his education by earning a Master of Science in Education through Arkansas State University.
Photo: From left, Assistant Coach John Buchanan, Principal Barry Kendall, Coach Matthew Pickard, Vice Principal Corry Essary.