FORK UNION, VA – Fork Union Military Academy is proud to announce the appointments of two new head coaches to lead its varsity athletics programs. Coach
Michael Tyrrell has been named Head Coach of the Varsity Lacrosse team, while Coach
Darrell Hatfield will take the reins as Head Coach of the Varsity Baseball team. Both coaches are respected members of the Fork Union community and bring decades of experience, leadership, and a deep commitment to developing student-athletes.
Coach Tyrrell transitions into the varsity lacrosse role after serving as an assistant coach for Fork Union's postgraduate lacrosse program, where he led an explosive offense that averaged 14 goals per game during the 2024–2025 season. A seasoned coach with more than a decade of experience at the NCAA Division I, II, and NAIA levels, Tyrrell brings a championship pedigree and proven record of success, including:
- Two national championships
- Five NCAA tournament appearances
- Five conference championships
- Seven league championships
- One state championship
Before joining Fork Union in 2024, Tyrrell held head coaching positions at the University of Saint Mary (KS) and the University of Charleston (WV), and served on staff at Mercer University, the University of Alabama-Huntsville, East Lake High School (FL), and his alma mater, the University of Tampa.
"Coach Tyrrell's experience at the college level and with our PG program make him a great fit to lead our Varsity Lacrosse Team," said Director of Athletics John Blake. "Mike understands our cadets and will do a great job moving our program to the next level."
Coach Hatfield, who was hired in 2024 as an assistant baseball and postgraduate football coach, brings over 25 years of baseball coaching experience to his new role as Head Coach of the Varsity Baseball team. His impressive coaching résumé includes:
- Over 25 years of baseball coaching experience at the varsity, junior varsity, and middle school levels
- Head coaching experience at the middle school baseball program
- 34 years of football coaching experience, including:
- 6 years as Varsity Offensive Coordinator with a 67% winning percentage
- 14 additional years as Varsity Assistant Coach
- 9 years as Middle School Head Coach with all winning seasons, including two undefeated teams
- Coaching experience across nearly every position on both sides of the ball
Hatfield currently serves as Fork Union's Deputy Director of Technology and will continue assisting with the postgraduate football program.
"Coach Hatfield brings a wealth of coaching experience along with a personality that our cadets will appreciate," Blake stated. "He understands the state of the baseball program, and I believe he will move it in the right direction. I look forward to working with him as he builds the program."
Fork Union Military Academy is excited to see these two respected educators and coaches continue to lead, develop, and inspire our cadets both on and off the field.
To contact the coaches:
Coach Michael Tyrrell — tyrrellm@fuma.org
Coach Darrell Hatfield — hatfieldd@fuma.org
