The Umpqua Community College baseball program is excited to announce the addition of Richie Charles to the RiverHawk Coaching staff.
Charles begins his first season as an Assistant Coach with the Umpqua Community College Baseball program after coahing under Troy Thompson for the past 12 seasons at Roseburg High School, where he currently teaches. During his 12 seasons under Coach Thompson, he has helped guide the Indians to a second place finish in 2009 as well as three straight semifinal appearances in 2011, 2012, and 2013. Charles worked with hitters and catchers for the first eight seasons and was most recently the Roseburg High pitching coach for the last four seasons. Richie has also been involved with the Roseburg Summer Program for the past ten seasons. He was a head coach for the Pepsi Bottlecaps for two seasons and guided them to a state championship. Charles was an Assistant Coach for the Roseburg Doctor Stewarts for seven seasons. Richie was part of the coaching staff that led the 2010 Doc Stewarts to a state-title, Regional Title, and third-place finish in the American Legion World Series.
Richie graduated from high school in 1999 and was first-team All-State player in football and baseball. He went on to play college baseball at Lane Community College under Donny Harrel. During his sophomore year, he earned first-team all NWAC as a first-baseman. While at Lane, the Titans finished in the top five in the NWAC Tournament. Richie accepted a scholarship at Western Oregon University to play for Terry Baumgartner and the Wolves. Charles finished his playing career in 2002 and began coaching at North Salem High School as an assistant under Chris Lee.
Head RiverHawk Baseball Coach Jeremiah Robbins had this to say about the hiring of Charles,"I have known Coach Charles as a player and coach for a long time. I am exicted to add his talents and enthusiasm to our program. I am looking forward to his contributions to RiverHawk baseball."
Richie currently lives in Roseburg, Oregon and has a daughter, Addison Charles (9 years old). In his free time, Richie enjoys hunting and fishing and spending time with family.
