Matt Padgett was hired on June 9, 2025, as the Bulldogs' next Head Baseball Coach.

Padgett came to Barton after serving as an Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Limestone University in Gaffney, S.C., in 2024 and 2025.  Padgett helped guide the Saints to their first winning season and a berth in the postseason for the first time in 14 years in 2025.

Prior to Limestone, Padgett served as an Assistant Coach at Columbia International University in Columbia, S.C., for three seasons (2021-23) and helped the squad win the NCCAA National Championship in 2021.

Padgett also spent time on the summer collegiate baseball scene, serving as Head Coach for the Lexington County Blowfish (2019-20) of the Coastal Plain League and Manager/Head Coach and Assistant Coach of the New Jersey Jackals (2016-18) as part of the Independent Frontier League. 

Padgett coached at the high school level as well, heading up Ben Lippen School in Columbia, S.C., from 2017 to 2020 and led the squad to two consecutive state finals.

Padgett earned his bachelor's degree from Columbia International University and played four years at Clemson University (1995-98).  Padgett, a Lexington, S.C., native, was a fifth round pick by the Florida Marlins and spent time with the Marlins, Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs organizations.