One of Savannah’s best ever high school baseball coaches announced his resignation on Thursday, May 25. Kevin Farmer, who led his teams to four GHSA state championships over a 24-year career at Calvary Day and Benedictine, announced through a Benedictine press release that this was his final season leading the Cadets.

Farmer, 49, finishes his dazzling career with a record of 517-157-2. He won state titles at BC in 2018 and 2014 after guiding Calvary Day to championships in 2007 and 2005. Under his watch, the Cavs finished runner-up in 2006, coming within one win of accomplishing a three-peat of titles. The Cadets finished second in 2021, and before the prior season was called off (COVID-19), the 2020 BC team was widely considered as the favorite to win the state title behind Farmer’s star pitcher/first baseman Carter Holton and a loaded lineup of talent.

After spending 10 seasons at Calvary Day, the 1992 graduate of Benedictine left to lead his alma mater where he won with regularity over 11 seasons.

“I love the game of baseball. I could coach this game forever,” Farmer said. “However, life continues to remind me that time is precious. It has been an honor to coach high school baseball, and it has been a privilege helping players develop both on and off the field while making lasting relationships with other coaches. With that being said, the 2023 season was my final season as BC’s head coach.”

At BC, Farmer racked up a 276-87-1 record. Countless players of his have gone on to play college baseball and several more are coaching baseball teams at various different levels of the game. His small-ball approach to the tactical parts of the game led to his brand of ball being affectionately known locally as “Farmer-Ball.” Earlier this year, he joined an elite group of high school skippers when he won his 500th career game.

“I have taken great pride in each team and appreciate the hard work that was put in by the players, assistant coaches, and administration to make this program successful,” Farmer said. “I look forward to spending more time with my family and continuing as the assistant principal at Benedictine Military School. Go Cadets.”

He’ll still be around to help the baseball program in whatever capacity he can, and he is still the school’s Assistant Principal. But, his departure leaves an undeniable void at the position of Benedictine Head Baseball Coach. The school refrained from naming an “interim” coach to fill the immediate void, as of Tuesday, May 30. No further information (i.e. hiring timeline, candidate requirements, etc.) was provided in the release announcing Farmer’s resignation.

Benedictine Athletic Director Jack Holland said that a successor to Farmer for the baseball job has not been determined.

“There is no way to properly thank Kevin Farmer for what he has done for BC baseball and Benedictine Military School as a whole,” said Holland, a 2003 BC graduate. “Coach Farmer has left the program in great shape, and we are excited to move forward and continue competing for region and state championships.”

Holland, when reached by text message on Tuesday, May 30, said there wasn’t much information he could provide about the coaching search.

“Right now, we are just going through the process and doing our due diligence,” he said. “No definitive timeline (has been set) as of now.”

Candidates for the gig should start with the assistant coach spot, where Kyle Farmer (Kevin’s younger brother and a former player of his at Calvary Day) has been a staple in the Cadet dugout and coaching box.

Text messages to Kyle Farmer, who was on vacation, were not returned when I reached out on Tuesday, May 30. While Kyle, 34, is a potential replacement, his not being named the successor to his brother in the press release announcing his brother’s resignation was surprising to me, and many others that I’ve talked to.

Assuming he wants the job, it seems unlikely that Kyle would serve as an assistant coach at Benedictine under a head coach who would’ve been chosen “over” him in that scenario. If another coach is hired, especially from outside the “BC Family,” perhaps the younger Farmer does stay on board as an assistant. That would require (in my opinion) some vouching for the new guy from one Farmer to the younger.

This article appears in 2023 Best of Savannah Issue.