Former University of Delaware baseball standout Steve Harden will be in his fourth season on the Blue Hen coaching staff as a volunteer assistant coach for the 2019 season.
“We feel fortunate to have an individual like Steve as our volunteer assistant,” Delaware head coach Jim Sherman said of Harden. “He brings a great knowledge of college baseball to our program. Steve was one of the best first basemen in Delaware history and he is an asset that will be helpful in the development of our younger players.”
In his first season, Harden helped lead the Blue Hens to a 32-23 record and their second CAA championship game appearance in four seasons.
Harden excelled as a first baseman and a pitcher for the Blue Hens from 2000-03. A .282 career hitter, Harden compiled 33 home runs and 159 RBI in his four years. He ranks in the top 10 in Delaware history in games played and home runs. He held the record for career games played until the 2006 season when he was passed by Todd Davison.
Harden also excelled on the pitcher’s mound, posting a record of 2-0 with seven saves and a 2.47 ERA while striking out 44 in 29.1 innings. He is tied for fourth on Delaware’s career saves list.
For his accomplishments, Harden was named a Louisville Slugger Honorable Mention Freshman All-American in 2000, and was named to the America East All-Tournament team as the Hens captured the conference championship in 2001. As a senior in 2003, Harden was named Delaware’s most outstanding offensive player and most outstanding defensive player, as well as earning the Papp Lukk Team MVP award.
Harden spent three seasons as an assistant baseball coach at St. Mark’s High School, helping to win the Delaware state championship in both 2004 and 2005.
Harden’s younger brother Dave was a member of the Delaware baseball team from 2002-05 and his youngest brother Matt finished his sophomore campaign with the Hens in 2009.
After graduating from Delaware in 2003, Harden earned a master’s degree in education from Wilmington (Del.) University.
He is currently working at Brandywine High School teaching Driver’s Education and Safety. In November 2005, he married Jennifer Lobley, a three-year member of the women’s soccer team at Delaware, who is now a math teacher at A.I. DuPont High School. The couple resides in Newark.
Assistant Coach Steve Harden