On Thursday evening, William Carey skipper Bobby Halford did something he’s done time and again – win a baseball game. It was the 1,374th in his storied career, making him the winningest collegiate baseball coach to ever lead a Mississippi program.
Halford’s Crusaders topped Blue Mountain Christian in the 2025 Southern States Athletic Conference in Montgomery, Ala., by a score of 8-4. The victory vaulted Halford ahead of longtime Mississippi State head coach Ron Polk, who totaled 1,373 wins across a 34-year head coaching career at MSU (1976-97, 2002-08), Georgia Southern (1972-75), and Georgia (2000-01).
If Polk is the Godfather of SEC baseball, Halford is the king of the NAIA game.
The Meridian native has now spent 40 years leading the baseball Crusaders, compiling a win-loss record of 1,374-811. He’s ridden an illustrious road to rousing, consistent success since becoming the program’s head man in 1987.
Superlatives across the golden career include 19 conference championships, including the Crusaders’ 2025 SSAC regular season title, 16 NAIA national tournament appearances, 13 conference and regional coach of the year awards, 45 professional players produced, a national coach of the year award in 2021, and four NAIA World Series appearances.
The success hasn’t gone unnoticed by the man whom he eclipsed on Thursday.
“I’m proud of you. I’m happy for you. You’ve done a great job at William Carey,” Polk said. “Continued success, and I hope you coach for another 25 years.”
40 years after taking the captain’s seat, the winning doesn’t look to be stopping anytime soon. Top-seeded Carey has marched through the first two games of the SSAC tournament and is set to host their third straight opening round regional to begin the national tournament next week.
For Halford, it will be a chance to add yet another feather to his lavishly decorated cap.
