Matt Hightower

Regional Director, Director of Operations & Player Development

A native of Cartersville, GA and seasoned baseball coach and instructor is one of the most passionate mentors in the area about developing young talent. With extensive playing and coaching experience, he has dedicated his career to helping athletes reach their fullest potential.

As a player, Hightower was a standout at Cartersville High School, winning three state championships and earning numerous accolades, including selection to GHSA Team Georgia and induction into the GHSA Hall of Fame.

He continued his baseball journey at the University of Florida, contributing to an SEC Conference Championship and reaching the College World Series finals. He later completed his collegiate career at Western Kentucky University, where he excelled athletically and earned both a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s in sports administration.

Following his playing career, Hightower served as an assistant coach at Western Kentucky University and has accumulated over 20 years of experience coaching elite travel and youth baseball teams.

Matt is married to the former Sierra Pulido and share two children, Kipton and Tenley.

Playing Experience

· 3x State Champion (2001, 2002, 2003) - Cartersville HS

· 2x Selection to All - GHSA, Team Georgia, 2003 - 2004

· Most Valuable Player - Cartersville HS, 2004

· 41-2 Pitching record for Cartersville HS (2001 – 2004)

· 2011 – Selected GHSA Hall of Fame – 1st Team All Decade Team

· Scholarship to University of Florida, 2005

· University of Florida College World Series Team, 2005

· SEC Conference Champion, University of Florida, 2005

· Sun Belt Conf. Champion, WKU 2008-09

· Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Year 2009,

· Sun Belt 1st Team All-Conference Outfielder, 2009

· Sun Belt Conference Stolen Base Leader 2009

Coaching Experience

· M.S. in Sports Admin.– WKU – 2011

· Graduate Assistant Coach – WKU – 2009 – 2011

· 2015 State Champion – King’s Ridge Christian School - Coach

· 20+ yrs. coaching experience college & elite travel

David Cagle brings over three decades of coaching experience at the high school level, where he has built a reputation for developing disciplined, competitive athletes and successful programs. His commitment to player development extends beyond the school setting, with more than 10 years of experience in travel baseball, helping players compete at a higher level and gain exposure.

Throughout his career, Coach Cagle has helped guide over 20 players to continue their careers at the collegiate level, a testament to his ability to prepare athletes for the next stage of the game. His impact reaches even further, with three former players advancing to play in Major League Baseball. Known for his consistency, leadership, and deep understanding of the game, Coach Cagle continues to influence players both on and off the field.

David Cagle

Director of DC Academy

Ryan McClellan

Director of Financial Operations

With a career rooted in service, leadership, and entrepreneurship, Ryan brings a unique blend of experience to everything. He has spent five years working as a paramedic, where he developed the ability to perform under pressure, communicate clearly, and prioritize what matters most. For the past eight years, he’s built a successful career as an insurance agent, helping individuals and families protect what they’ve worked hard to achieve.

In addition to his work in insurance and business, He is a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach, dedicated to helping others improve their health, performance, and overall quality of life.

Ryan is a seasoned entrepreneur, having owned and operated seven companies across multiple industries. This journey has strengthened his skills in business strategy, problem-solving, and team leadership.

Service remains at the core of who he is. Ryan also serves as an elder at his church and actively work in children’s ministry, investing in the next generation. He also coaches middle school girls’ basketball and competitive shotgun shooting, mentoring young athletes in discipline, confidence, and resilience.

DONOVAN TATE

Hitting Specialist

Donavan Tate is a former elite multi-sport athlete and highly respected baseball instructor from Cartersville, Georgia. A standout at Cartersville High School, Tate was widely recognized as one of the most gifted athletes in the country, earning All-American honors in both baseball and football. As a center fielder and quarterback, he showcased a rare combination of size, speed, arm strength, and overall athleticism that made him one of the premier prospects of his generation.

In 2009, Tate was selected third overall in the Major League Baseball Draft by the San Diego Padres, solidifying his status as one of the top amateur players in the nation. He signed professionally out of high school, bringing with him the tools and projection of a future impact player at the highest level of the game.

Throughout his professional career, Tate gained valuable experience competing against top-tier talent while navigating the physical and mental demands of the game. His journey through professional baseball provided him with a deep understanding of player development, resilience, and the adjustments required to succeed at advanced levels.

Today, Tate channels that experience into his work as an instructor, where he is passionate about developing the next generation of athletes. Known for his ability to connect with players and translate high-level concepts into practical application, he emphasizes athletic movement, confidence, and game-ready performance. His background as an elite athlete, combined with his professional experience, allows him to offer a unique and impactful perspective to players striving to reach their full potential.

TBA

Performance Coach, Hitting/Defensive Specialist

####brings a well-rounded foundation in baseball instruction, athletic performance development, and applied sports science, combining hands-on coaching experience with a formal background in health science. His approach is rooted in individualized athlete development, emphasizing movement quality, performance progression, and long-term growth.

####specializes in conducting detailed player assessments to identify strengths, limitations, and opportunities for improvement. From there, he designs and implements customized training programs that integrate skill development with speed, agility, and overall athletic performance. His ability to work across both one-on-one instruction and group training environments allows him to impact athletes at multiple levels, while maintaining a high standard of engagement, safety, and intentional coaching.

In their role with the Dirtbags, ####contributes to a competitive team environment by implementing structured training sessions focused on strength, conditioning, flexibility, and injury prevention. He plays a key role in reinforcing practice standards, supporting athlete confidence, and aligning individual development with team performance objectives.

His experience as an Athletic Training Intern at Erskine College further strengthens his profile, providing exposure to injury prevention, rehabilitation protocols, and return-to-play progression. Working alongside certified athletic trainers and healthcare professionals, ####has developed a strong understanding of how to safely bridge performance training with medical considerations, an essential component for sustaining athlete availability and performance over time.

Gestarl Fulgencio (Coach G)

Performance Specialist, Hitting/Defensive Specialist

EXOS Certified Performance Specialist, Infield Specialist, Physical Therapy Aide, and Strength & Conditioning Coach with a background in Nutrition and Personal Training. He trained every year in the Dominican Republic and played summer baseball there at the Luis Polonia Academy as well as in Puerto Rico. He competed at Kingsborough Community College and earned an academic scholarship to St. John’s University where he trained with the team during COVID. I also played at Yankee Stadium my senior year of high school and received a Gold Glove at 13/14 years old. My yearly training in the Dominican Republic exposed me to high-intensity baseball development methods, and I’m passionate about bringing that experience to help teach and develop American ballplayers through structured, athlete-focused training.

Mike Morrison

Performance Specialist, Hitting/Defensive Specialist

Born in Florida and raised in Atlanta, Coach Mike has been immersed in baseball since the age of 4. A lifelong player, he honed his skills and passion for the game through years of dedication and competition. Coach Mike played college baseball at ABAC, specializing as an outfielder with a particular focus on centerfield, where he developed exceptional defensive awareness, speed, and precision.

With a background in biology and health science, Coach Morrison brings a deep understanding of how the body moves and performs. He focuses on hitting, fielding, and speed & agility training, helping players of all ages and skill levels maximize their potential, refine their skills, and elevate their on-field performance. His approach combines experience, science-based methods, and a genuine passion for player growth.

Brandon Smith

Catching and Hitting Specialist

Former professional baseball player with experience in the Oakland As and New York Mets organizations and international competition in China and the Philippines. Brandon takes a calm and thoughtful approach focused on progress over perfection helping young athletes trust their mechanics and compete freely.

My goal is to help players learn how to think for themselves during training so they do not have to think while playing. Mechanics should feel natural, not forced.

I ask questions and guide players toward understanding what works for them. Over time, that understanding builds confidence, trust in movement, and the ability to adjust without overthinking.

I prioritize progress over perfection. When players feel prepared and trust their mechanics, they can compete freely and enjoy the game.

Coaching my own three kids through youth sports gave me a firsthand understanding of the challenges parents face in today’s ultra-competitive environment. I try to be a steady, honest voice parents can trust — someone they can talk to, ask questions, and lean on when situations feel unclear or overwhelming.

I gave my first lesson in the off-season of 1991. Many players don’t even know I played professional baseball, and I’m good with that. What matters most to me is being seen as a mentor, someone who helps kids grow with confidence, perspective, and a love for the game.