TJ SMITH

Head Coach

Born and raised in Dunn, NC, TJ has always had a deep love for sports and community. He married his high school sweetheart, Heather, and together they have a son, Owen. In high school, TJ was a three-sport athlete, but football ultimately became his passion. At Triton High School, he was honored to be selected for varsity football from his freshman to senior year and was also chosen to play in the prestigious East/West All-Star Game.

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After high school, he received several Division I and Division II recruiting offers, but he decided to pursue academics at Campbell University, where he continued his football career. This decision allowed him to focus on both his education and athletic growth, laying the foundation for his future.

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TJ spent 12 years as an officer with the Fayetteville Police Department, where he became highly decorated for his service. For the last seven years of his career, he worked with the FBI as a Task Force Officer, handling high-profile cases and traveling extensively. This experience taught him invaluable leadership skills and a commitment to excellence that he carries with him in all that he does.

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As a coach, TJ loves witnessing the growth and development of kids as they learn the game of baseball. He expects maximum effort every time they step on the field, and while he strives for excellence, he also prioritizes having fun along the way. Fostering character, teamwork, and a passion for the game is fundamental to his approach!

MANUEL CRESPO

Assistant Coach

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Manuel is a dedicated father, husband, and coach with a passion for sports and community. 

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Growing up, Manuel played both football and baseball before transitioning to slow-pitch softball later in life. His experience as an athlete has given him valuable insight into multiple sports, and he is excited to share that knowledge.

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In addition to his coaching experience, Manuel served as a police officer for 6.5 years before retiring to pursue a career as a mechanic. 

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Manuel is the proud father of three beautiful children—Oakley (8), Brantley (3), and Wyatt (1.5)—and has been married to his wife, Megan, since 2014. Their oldest son, Oakley, has inherited a passion for baseball, leading the family to the world of travel ball. 

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Manuel is excited to continue shaping the next generation of athletes, instilling in them a love for the game, a strong work ethic, and the importance of family and teamwork.

LEE PEGUES

Assistant Coach

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Hailing from Wallace, SC, Lee has always been involved in sports, excelling in baseball, football, and track & field throughout his youth. His commitment to athletics continued into college, where he graduated from East Carolina University.

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Lee's athletic career reached new heights when he played professional football with the Chicago Bears and the Saskatchewan Roughriders, showcasing his skill and determination on the field. After retiring from professional sports, he turned his focus to coaching, where he has spent the past 10 years developing young athletes.

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Lee is a middle school Health and Physical Education teacher at Benson Middle School in Johnston County. In addition to teaching, he is the head coach of both the football and track teams, where he works to inspire and guide students to reach their full potential. With eight years of experience in education, Coach Pegues is passionate about teaching and shaping the minds and bodies of the next generation.

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Outside of his professional life, Coach Pegues is a proud husband to Jasmin Hick-Pegues and a father to Trey and Nova Pegues. He lives by the mantra, "Anything worth doing is worth doing right," and strives to instill that same dedication and excellence in his students and athletes every day.

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Coach Pegues is committed to the development of his players, not just as athletes, but as individuals. Through hard work, discipline, and passion for the game, he seeks to make a positive impact on every student he teaches and coaches.

MIKE SUTER

Assistant Coach

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Originally from Harrisonburg, Virginia, Mike grew up with a passion for sports, playing both football and baseball during his youth. His love for athletics didn’t end after high school; he continued to stay active in sports by playing co-ed softball.

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For over 20 years, Mike has been a dedicated professional in the HVAC industry, currently serving as a Field Manager for Franklin Energy, a contractor for Duke Energy.

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Off the field, Mike is a proud father of two sons and has been happily married to Lisa for 20 years. His commitment to the sport has extended to coaching, where he spent seven years as the head coach of his youngest son’s little league team. Now, his love of the game is being passed on to his grandson, Raylan, who has inherited his passion for baseball.

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As a coach, Mike is deeply committed to watching his players grow as athletes and individuals. He believes in fostering an environment where kids can achieve their goals while learning the fundamentals of the game, the importance of hard work, and the dedication it takes to succeed both on and off the field.

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