Cape Central High School is proud to welcome two distinguished alumni back to lead the Tiger Baseball program. Steven Williams has been named Head Baseball Coach, and Talley Haines will serve as Assistant Coach, marking a celebrated homecoming for two individuals who embody the history, pride, and excellence of Cape Central athletics.
Coach Steven Williams, a 1979 Cape Central graduate, returns with more than three decades of coaching experience and a legacy of success. Most recently, Williams served as Head Baseball Coach at Fredericktown High School, leading the team to a 17–10 record and the 2025 Class 4 District 1 Championship. Prior to that, he spent more than 20 years at Cape Central, guiding the Tigers to the 1994 Missouri Class 4A State Championship, four SEMO Conference titles, six district championships, and four sectional titles. His career high school coaching record stands at 342–234–1.
A former professional player with the Philadelphia Phillies organization, Williams reached the AAA level during his playing career. His many honors include induction into the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame (2014), the Southeast Missouri State University Athletic Hall of Fame (2004), and the Cape Central Athletic Hall of Fame (2011 and 2014).
Joining him as Assistant Coach is Talley Haines, a 1995 Cape Central graduate and a standout member of the Tigers’ 1994 state championship team, coached by Williams himself. Haines went on to be drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays and enjoyed a 10-year professional career with six different Major League Baseball organizations.
Following his playing career, Haines spent 13 years as Head Baseball Coach at Mobile Christian School in Alabama, where his teams won five state championships between 2012 and 2024. He was named the 2022 Sammy Dunn Award recipient, given to the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Coach of the Year for all classifications. During his tenure, more than 50 of his players advanced to college baseball, and three are currently playing professionally.
Williams expressed his enthusiasm for reuniting with his former player, “Talley was a great competitor, a hard worker, and always strived for greatness, qualities that carried into his playing and coaching careers. He will be an invaluable asset to our program, and I’m truly excited to have him as part of our staff.”
Cape Central Athletic Director Derek Gohn added, “This is such a meaningful moment for our baseball program. Coach Williams and Coach Haines are not only exceptional coaches but proud alumni who truly understand what it means to wear orange and black. Their leadership, experience, and commitment to our students will have a lasting impact on our program.”
The return of Coaches Williams and Haines represents more than a reunion; it’s the continuation of a proud Cape Central tradition, where former players now guide the next generation of Tigers.