Dinerpod 36: Nick Duggan

Dinerpod 36: Nick Duggan-Greencastle Assistant Baseball Coach

In this high-energy episode, Red Velvet returns to the studio (this time with working audio!) to sit down with Nick Duggan, the Assistant Baseball Coach for Greencastle Schools. The conversation bridges the gap between local sports rivalries, the technical side of coaching, and some surprising off-field hobbies.

• The "Big Brother" Coach: At 25 years old, Coach Duggan discusses the unique dynamic of being a younger coach. While it poses challenges in maintaining authority, it allows him to build a deep, relatable bond with his players.

• Crossing the Rivalry Line: Despite being a South Putnam alum, Duggan proudly wears the Greencastle purple. He shares funny anecdotes about catching "flack" from former coaches and the community for crossing the crosstown divide.

• The Triple Crown Season: A look back at last year’s historic run where Greencastle achieved the "Triple Crown":

  1. Winning the County Tournament.

  2. Competing at the top of the conference.

  3. Winning the Sectional Championship.

• The Quest for 20: Looking ahead to the new season with seven returning seniors, the goal is to secure Coach Wells’ first 20-win season and navigate a brand-new conference lineup including schools like North Montgomery and Cascade.

• The Putnam County Bucket: A breakdown of the local "Bucket" tradition—a traveling trophy that stays with the winner of every regular-season matchup between county rivals.

Duggan reflects on his time as a manager for Indiana State Baseball, detailing the "grind" behind the scenes—from feeding pitching machines and charging radar guns to printing stat sheets. He emphasizes that his coaching style was heavily influenced by mentors like Coach Hannahs and Coach Vanderglass.

When the cleats come off, Coach Duggan is a self-proclaimed "multi-screen" sports fanatic and gamer:

• Hobbies: Playing MLB The Show and watching Pittsburgh Penguins hockey.

• Wrestling Fandom: A deep dive into WWE history, discussing CM Punk’s return and the legendary "Hell in a Cell" match between Mankind and The Undertaker.

• Game Day Ritual: Unlike many coaches who opt for "lucky meals," Duggan sticks to a strictly functional routine: a protein bar and a sports drink.