Cole Downey attains ‘dream’ in leading Northwood baseball

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Photos of Northwood coach Cole Downey

Northwood baseball coach Cole Downey poses with Loyola player Gordon Caraway.

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Photos of Northwood coach Cole Downey

Cole Downey (right) has been named baseball coach at Northwood. He's pictured with family members Tiffany Wood and Greg Frazier.

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Photos of Northwood coach Cole Downey

Northwood baseball coach Cole Downey (right) poses with one of his coaching mentors, Calvary assistant softball coach Greg Frazier.

The Northwood baseball program appears to be in good hands despite the recent retirement of Austin Alexander, who built the Falcons into a perennial district title contender and LHSAA playoff participant.

Principal Shannon Wall announced Wednesday that current Loyola assistant coach Cole Downey is now the head coach, and he’ll bring Natchitoches Central assistant coach Cade Hart as one of his assistants. Both athletes competed on championship teams at Calvary Baptist and know what it takes to build a winning attitude.

“Becoming a head baseball coach has been a dream of mine for a long time, so I’m incredibly thankful and humbled for the opportunity to lead the Northwood program,” Downey said. “I truly believe God opens doors and places people where they’re supposed to be, and I’m grateful He led me to this opportunity at Northwood. I’m excited to become part of the Blanchard community and invest in the players, school and people around the program.”

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Cole Downey, posing with girlfriend Katelyn Gross, has been named baseball coach at Northwood.

Alexander’s final team was 20-15 overall. His teams posted 193 wins at Northwood in seven seasons. He coached the Falcons to district titles in 2022 and 2024, and both those teams advanced to the LHSAA quarterfinals.

“Coach Austin Alexander did a tremendous job building Northwood baseball and left the program in a much better place than he found it,” Downey said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to step into a program that already has a winning culture and strong foundation in place. My hope is that years from now I’ll be able to say I helped continue that growth and left Northwood better than I found it too.”

Hart earned All-State honors in baseball and football at Calvary before playing collegiately at LSU-Eunice and McNeese State. He and Downey have been around each other for a long time, even though both are young.

Northwood assistant baseball coach Cade Hart played at McNeese.

“I honestly couldn’t be more excited — I’m fortunate to have played with Cole, and be coached by him,” Hart said. “He’s always been someone I’ve looked up to. His leadership skills are second to none, and I can’t wait to be alongside him every day. We’ve always said one day that we’re going to lead a program together, so to see it pan out like this brings pure joy.”

Downey has been coaching for several years despite being 26 years old, but this will be his first head coaching gig. He said a lot of people have poured into his experience in leading young men.

“Greg Frazier, Tiffany Frazier, Brittany Frazier, my uncle Mitch Downey, Shannon Cunningham, Chad McDowell, Jason Legg and Morgan Brian have all impacted me in different ways and helped shape how I view coaching, leadership and relationships,” Downey said. “I’m also thankful for my parents, siblings, family and friends who have supported me every step of the way.”

Although winning in baseball is important, Downey said he has a “passion” for building relationships “and helping mold young men into the best version of themselves.”

“I want our program to be known for toughness, accountability, discipline, and the way we play and respect the game of baseball,” Downey said. “My goal is for our players to leave Northwood prepared for life long after baseball is over, and I’m excited to get to work building something the community can be proud of.”

Downey is a special education teacher while Hart will teach business at Northwood.

Jimmy Watson covers Louisiana sports for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Cole Downey, Cade Hart to headline Northwood baseball program