JETS COACHING STAFF

COACH TJ ORR enters his 11th season on the James Clemens coaching staff, where he continues to lead the Jets’ pitching staff.

During his tenure at James Clemens, Orr has played an instrumental role in developing one of the program’s greatest strengths. Under his guidance, Jets pitchers have established numerous single-season and career records in categories including games started, wins, strikeouts, ERA, WHIP, and opponents’ batting average. In recognition of his impact on the program and the development of its pitchers, Orr was named the 2024 Alabama Baseball Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year.

Before joining James Clemens, Orr served as head baseball coach at Hazel Green High School from 2010–2014 and Liberty Middle School from 2006–2009. His previous coaching experience also includes four seasons as the pitching coach at the University of Alabama in Huntsville from 2003–2006, serving as a head coach in the Lawrence County School System from 1999–2002, and working as an assistant coach at Hartselle High School.

A former player, Orr was a standout at Hartselle High School and was part of three state championship teams during his time with the Tigers. He continued his playing career at Calhoun Community College from 1994–1995, earning All-JUCO Tournament Team honors in 1995, before finishing his collegiate career at the University of Alabama in Huntsville from 1996–1997. He also received the Team Player Award in 1994.

Orr earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from Athens State University and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Middle Tennessee State University. In addition to his coaching career, he has taught social studies and history and led the Developing Teachers as Historians program from 2008–2013, providing professional development at the local and district levels. He was also named the ACCESS Teacher of the Year for the state of Alabama for his work in online education.

Orr currently teaches World History and Macroeconomics at James Clemens. He and his wife, Nicole, have two children, Ainslee and Freddie, and are proud to be part of the Jets family.

COACH BRETT BURGESS enters his seventh season on the James Clemens coaching staff, where he leads the Jets’ offensive development and works with the varsity outfielders.

During his tenure at James Clemens, Burgess has played an instrumental role in the development of the Jets’ offense. Under his guidance, James Clemens hitters have established numerous single-season individual records in categories including games played, plate appearances, triples, runs scored, walks, and stolen bases.

Before joining James Clemens, Burgess coached at Cherokee County High School in Alabama and Pepperell High School in Georgia. His collegiate playing career included time at Snead State Community College before he finished his career as an outfielder at Georgia Southwestern State University.

A native of Centre, Alabama, Burgess was a standout two-sport athlete at Cherokee County High School, earning All-State honors in both baseball and football. He was also a member of Cherokee County’s 2009 Class 4A state championship football team.

Burgess earned a master’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Alabama in 2020. He currently teaches U.S. History I at James Clemens, where his commitment to students has earned recognition beyond the baseball field. In 2025, he was named the Madison City Schools Teacher of the Year.

Burgess and his wife, Lucy, were married in 2019. They have three children: daughter Rosalie and twin sons Wesley and Brooks.

COACH CONNOR BROOKS enters his third season on the James Clemens baseball coaching staff, where he serves as an assistant pitching coach and head coach of the Junior Varsity Jets. Working alongside Coach TJ Orr, Brooks assists with all aspects of the James Clemens pitching staff and the development of the program’s pitchers.

Before joining James Clemens, Brooks served as the pitching coach at Hazel Green High School during the 2024 season. His coaching background is complemented by an extensive collegiate playing career that included stops at Central Alabama Community College, the University of West Alabama, and the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Brooks began his collegiate career as a starting pitcher at Central Alabama Community College from 2018–2019 before transferring to the University of West Alabama, where he played from 2020–2021 and earned his bachelor’s degree in History. He completed his playing career at the University of Alabama in Huntsville from 2022–2023 while earning a master’s degree in Education. During his time at UAH, Brooks was selected by his teammates and coaches to serve as team captain.

A 2017 graduate of Benjamin Russell High School, Brooks was an All-Region selection as both a pitcher and first baseman. Baseball has long been a family tradition for Brooks, who played for his father, Alabama Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame coach Richy Brooks. His older brother, Caleb, is the head baseball coach at Pike Road High School, while his younger brother, Cade, continued the family tradition and now coaches at Gadsden State Community College.

In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Brooks teaches Economics at James Clemens and is committed to the development of Jets student-athletes both on the field and in the classroom.

COACH BRADEN COBB enters his second season on the James Clemens baseball coaching staff and serves as an assistant coach with the Junior Varsity Jets.  A 2020 graduate of James Clemens High School, Cobb was a standout shortstop for the Jets and understands firsthand the pride, expectations, and tradition of the program. His return to James Clemens marks the beginning of his coaching career at the same place where his own development as a player began.

Following his career at James Clemens, Cobb continued playing at Snead State Community College from 2021–2022. He was a member of the 2022 Snead State team that captured a ACCC championship and advanced to the NJCAA World Series, the first World Series appearance in program history. His experience competing at the collegiate level brings valuable perspective and energy to the development of the Jets’ younger players.

Cobb later earned his bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management from Auburn University. As a former Jet, he is proud to return to his alma mater and give back to the program and the game that have played such an important role in his life.

COACH MATT SANDERS enters his first season with the James Clemens baseball program and serves as head coach of the Freshman Jets.

A Madison native, Sanders brings an accomplished playing background and previous head coaching experience to James Clemens. Before joining the Jets, he served as the head baseball coach at Journey Middle School from 2024–2026, working with many of the young players who would eventually enter the James Clemens program.

Sanders was a four-year starter at shortstop for Troy University, where he developed into one of the most accomplished players in program history. As a senior in 2018, he earned Third-Team All-America and Second-Team All-Sun Belt honors after batting .378 with 99 hits, 90 runs, 19 doubles and 26 stolen bases. His 90 runs led all NCAA Division I players, earning him recognition as the NCAA statistical champion in runs per game. Sanders finished his Troy career as the program’s record holder in several single-season and career categories and helped lead the Trojans to an NCAA Regional appearance in his final season.

Following his collegiate career, Sanders was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 10th round of the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft. He spent two seasons in the Mariners organization, advancing as high as Double-A during his professional career.

In high school, Sanders was a standout shortstop for the, earning First-Team All-State and All-Metro honors during both his junior and senior seasons. He also represented the North in the Alabama North-South All-Star Game before continuing his career at Troy.

Sanders now brings his playing and coaching experience back to the Madison community, where his familiarity with local baseball and experience at the collegiate and professional levels provide a valuable foundation for developing the next generation of Jets.

COACH RHYS HARTUNG enters his ninth season with the James Clemens baseball program, serving as an assistant coach with the Freshman Jets and overseeing the development of catchers throughout the program.

A former catcher, Hartung brings a unique playing background to the Jets. While serving in the United States Marine Corps, he represented the Marines as a catcher for the Marine Corps Pacific Northwest Baseball Team in 2001 and 2002. In 2002, he was selected to the All-Marine West Coast All-Star Team, leading all catchers with a .296 batting average and 17 stolen bases.

Hartung continued his playing career as a member of the Joint Services Military All-Star Team in 2003 and 2004, competing against NCAA Division I, Minor League, and Major League competition. His experience behind the plate and at high levels of competition provides a strong foundation for his work developing catchers throughout the James Clemens program.

Following his military service, Hartung began his coaching career at his alma mater, Costa Mesa High School in California, where he coached for three years. He later coached at Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach, California, in 2016 before moving to Alabama and joining the James Clemens program.

In addition to coaching at James Clemens, Hartung serves on the Board of Directors for the Madison Baseball Association and continues to play the game as a member of the Huntsville Barbarians in the Southern Senior Baseball League.

Hartung has two sons, Konnor and Kaeden.