Washburn University Athletics

Former All-MIAA outfielder Harley Douglas enters his 11th season at the helm of the Washburn baseball program in 2025. Douglas was an assistant with the Ichabods for three years before he was named interim coach after the death of 35-year head coach, Steve Anson, following the 2014 season. He earned the permanent title of head coach on August 22, 2014.

In ten seasons, Douglas carries an all-time record of 256-217, including five 30-win seasons including three straight. In 2015, WU started the season 14-0, climbing to as high as No. 19 in the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) national poll (weeks four and five) and No. 6 in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) rankings (week four).

Douglas has coached a total of 63 All-MIAA selections, including one MIAA Player and Pitcher of the Year and five MIAA first team selections. He has also coached two MLB draftees, David Gauntt who was selected by the Miami Marlins during the 2016 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, and Casey Steward who went to the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2023 draft. Several other Ichabods during Douglas' tenure have gone on to sign professional contracts in numerous leagues across North America. 

During his tenure Washburn has received 15 total All-Region selections between the ABCA, NCBWA and D2CCA. Three Ichabods have earned CoSIDA Academic All-American status (Darian Abram, 2018), (Brett Ingram, 2022) and Cash Jay (2024). Douglas has also helped three players achieve All-American status from either the NCBWA or ABCA.

The 2022 season was one for the record books as the Ichabods went 33-22 overall and earned the program's first-ever berth in the NCAA Central Region Tournament. The Ichabods outscored their opposition, 450-381, and finished in the top-five in Washburn's single season record book in doubles (127/1st), hits (586/2nd), home runs (77/2nd), and runs (450/4th). The Washburn pitching staff also turned in a solid season and set the program's single season record in strikeouts (542) and in saves (15). Eight Ichabods earned All-MIAA honors and six Ichabods were named to the MIAA All-Tournament team at the conclusion of the conference postseason. Left-handed pitcher Dalton Huggins was named to the All-MIAA Second Team and the NCBWA All-Central Region Second Team while infielder Brett Ingram, who was also an All-MIAA Second Team selection, received CoSIDA Academic All-America Third Team honors. 

In 2015, the Ichabods outscored opponents 382-298, posted a .306 combined team batting average and a 4.97 team ERA (fifth in the MIAA). In 2016, Washburn finished fourth in the conference in runs (437) and ERA (4.99) while being listed third in stolen bases (81) in 2017.

Douglas has coached a total of 47 All-MIAA selections, including one MIAA Player and Pitcher of the Year. He has also coached David Gauntt who earned All-America honors before being drafted by the Miami Marlins during the 2016 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. Following the 2017 season, three-time MIAA selection Riley Krane signed a professional contact with the Windy City Thunderbolts of the Frontier League. In 2018, Douglas saw Josh Crosby earn second team NCBWA All-Region honors, while Darian Abram became the first Ichabod in seven seasons to earn Academic All-America honors from CoSIDA.

Douglas is the first former Ichabod player to serve as Washburn’s coach and just the fifth person to coach the Ichabods since complete historical records were archived in the 1950s.

Douglas played for the Ichabods from 1997-2000. In 2000, as a senior, Douglas earned All-MIAA second team honors as an outfielder after posting a .417 average with 88 hits and setting a single-season record with 48 stolen bases - which still stands. Douglas' standout performance during his career has his name etched throughout the Washburn record book as he is listed third in school history in triples (11), fourth in stolen bases (74), 12th in runs scored (136), while his .362 career batting average, is the 14th highest in school history. The Ichabods went 110-81 and advanced to the MIAA tournament every season during Douglas’ four years.

After his All-MIAA career at Washburn, Douglas ventured into the professional ranks as he signed with the New York Mets organization in 2000 and spent time as a member of minor league organizations. Douglas began his professional career in the rookie league for Kingsport (Tenn.) before advancing to Single-A where he played in Pittsfield (Mass.).

Following his baseball career, Douglas returned to Kansas where he served as a high school head coach before working as a special education teacher at Rossville Junior/Senior HS. Within the high school ranks, Douglas acquired a 124-58 record in his eight years. He started in 2003 at St. Marys HS where he went 67-28 in four years before taking the helm at Lansing HS from 2007-10 and put together a 57-30 there. Douglas steered his high school teams to top three finishes at state in five of his eight years as a head coach.

Douglas is a two-time Washburn graduate, receiving his Exercise Physiology degree in 2002 before earning an Education degree in 2004. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Adaptive Special Education from Emporia State in 2010.

 He and his wife, Amy, have three daughters, Britnee, Ashley, and Caylee, and a son, Dreyson.