Woodhaven High School Varsity Baseball Coach Corey Farner has been inducted into the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, recognizing a coaching career defined by sustained success, high standards and a commitment to developing student-athletes on and off the field.

Farner, who has coached high school baseball for 23 seasons, including 12 at Woodhaven, credits the players, fellow coaches, family and community who have been part of his journey. Under his leadership, the Warriors have earned eight Downriver League championships, eight consecutive district titles at Woodhaven and five regional championships, along with three Final Four appearances and two Division 1 state runner-up finishes.

“This is a well-deserved honor for Coach Farner. He does a great job preparing players to succeed at the Varsity level and at the next level, which is evident in the sustained success our baseball program achieves year in and year out,” said Keith Christnagel, Woodhaven High School Athletic Director.

Farner recently reflected on his induction, the people who have influenced him and the lessons he hopes his players carry beyond baseball.

Q&A with Corey Farner

What was your reaction when you learned you were being inducted into the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame?

I was definitely caught off guard. I was surprised, but more than anything, I felt extremely honored and humbled to be recognized by my fellow coaches. It's not something you really think about while you're in the middle of coaching and trying to build a program.

What does this honor mean to you?

To me, this is a team honor. It's something I share with every player I've had the opportunity to coach, the coaches who have dedicated their time and expertise to our programs, and my family, who have supported me throughout the years.

I especially want to thank Tony Brinson for nominating me and for the years we've spent coaching together. I also want to thank my wife, Celine, for everything she's done to support me over the years. Without her support and sacrifice, none of this would have been possible.

What makes coaching at Woodhaven special?

For me, it's the relationships with our players, coaches, their families and the community. That's what makes Woodhaven special.

I'm extremely proud of what we've built here. We've established a program with high expectations and standards, where competing for championships has become part of our culture. But what I'm most proud of is how we've built that culture and the people who have been part of it.

What moments have had the biggest impact on the Warrior baseball program?

Our first year at Woodhaven was the 2015 group. They bought into a whole new staff and philosophy, and their preparation and effort laid the foundation for future teams.

The 2018 team overcame a big obstacle by winning the school's first district championship in baseball and advancing all the way to the state championship. What separated them was how they played for each other and held each other accountable. They became player-led instead of coach-led, and their impact continues today.

Who has influenced you most throughout your coaching career?

My dad was my first big influence in coaching. He coached us in football and baseball and was a great example of showing up every day and doing your best. I also learned a lot from my high school coaches in baseball, basketball and football.

Tony Brinson had a huge impact on me as a player and an even bigger impact on me as a coach. My first coaching job was with him at Kennedy. I've also spent a lot of time learning from other coaches. I think it's important to continue to learn and improve. Once you think you know it all, the game passes you up.

What do you hope your players take away from their time playing for you?

I hope they leave our program understanding that the habits and values that help you become a successful baseball player are the same ones that will help you become successful in life.

Things like discipline, preparation, accountability, resilience, work ethic and being a great teammate. I also hope they understand the importance of how they treat people and genuinely caring about the success of those around them.

Baseball eventually ends for everyone, but the lessons you learn through the game can stay with you for the rest of your life.

When former players look back on their time in the program, what do you hope they remember most?

I hope they remember that I genuinely care about them, not just as baseball players, but as people. I hope they remember the relationships, the experiences, the challenges they overcame together and what it meant to be part of something bigger than themselves.

If they remember that I cared about them and helped them grow in some way, then I feel like I've done my job.

If you could sum up what coaching has meant to your life in one thought, what would you say?

Coaching has been one of the most rewarding and challenging parts of my life. I've given a lot of myself to this game, but the relationships I've built, the people I've met and the lessons I've learned have given me far more in return.

I've always believed that if you can make a positive difference in someone's life, then the time and effort are worth it.