Hill Denson spent 19 seasons at the helm of the Belhaven Baseball program where he compiled a record of 613-444, making him the winningest coach in program history. With more than 30 years of coaching experience, Denson has compiled a career record of 1,273-842-2, including a 1,058-774-2 collegiate coaching mark.
Under the direction of Denson, the Blazers have won six conference championships, an NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round tournament, and made the school’s first ever appearance in the NAIA World Series in 2010. Later in 2010, Denson was inducted into the Belhaven Athletics Hall of Fame.
While at Belhaven, Denson coached four MLB Draftees (Chanse Cooper - 2009, Craig Westcott - 2009, Wade Broyles - 2010, Kyle Wheeler - 2010). Denson also saw seven players named NAIA All-Americans during his tenure as well as one NCCAAÂ All-American.
Denson has been named the Gulf Coast Athlete Conference Coach of the Year three times, picking up the award in 2006, 2007 and 2010.Â
Coach Denson’s career includes 14 seasons at the helm of the University of Southern Mississippi baseball program (1984-1997), where he helped establish USM as a nationally recognized baseball power. Denson retired from Southern Miss with a career record of 468-386-2 with the Eagles.
Coach Denson enjoyed many years of success while at USM, including being named Metro Conference (now Conference USA) Coach of the Year in 1989 and 1990; having 12 consecutive winning seasons (1986-1997); 42 game winning season in 1990 (school record); NCAA National Tournament bids in 1990 and 1991; Eight USM players being named NCAA All-Americans; and 35 USM players signed to professional baseball contracts.
Denson was recognized by Southern Miss with the changing of USM Stadium to Hill Denson Field at Pete Taylor Park in 1999. Denson was also inducted into the USM Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990.
In 2008, Denson was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. He has also been inducted into the Mississippi Semi-Pro Baseball Hall of Fame (1982) and the Bobcat Sports Hall of Fame at Jones County Junior College (2012).
Prior to his tenure at USM, Coach Denson served as the Director of In-Game Promotions for the Nashville Sounds, then New York Yankees minor league baseball club. He also served as an assistant baseball coach at Vanderbilt University.
Coach Denson’s high school coaching experience included stints at three Mississippi high schools: Callaway HS, Manhattan HS and Chamberlain-Hunt Military Academy. Denson wrapped up his high school coaching career with a 215-68 record.
A native of Bay Springs, Miss., Hill Denson is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with an Education minor. He received his Master’s degree in School Administration from Mississippi College.
Denson is married to the former Judy Moon, and he has two daughters, Jill and Molly, and two granddaughters, Wyn and Hadley.Â
