Michael Bender begins his first season at the helm of the Cavalier program after serving five years as the top assistant under the leadership of Travis Little. Bender's primary duties under Little was the lead instructor of hitters, catchers and outfielders. During his tenure as the top assistant, Montreat College averaged 35 wins a season and made three regional appearances and a conference tournament championship final.

During his summer months, Bender is the Head Coach of the Fort Collins Foxes of the Mountain Collegiate League in Colorado. Bender has also coached in the German Bundesliga as well as the Southern Collegiate League.

Bender played his collegiate Baseball at South Georgia Community College as well as finishing his career at Georgia College after being nominated as a two time Presidential selection in the Peach Belt Conference. Bender received his Associates Degree and his Bachelors Degree in Health Sciences from these two institutions respectively.  Bender currently resides with his dog, Max, in Asheville.

828-712-0477

Chris Johnson enters his first season with the Cavaliers' baseball program serving as the pitching coach and assisting with recruiting. Johnson spent last season as the head coach at Monacan High School in Richmond, Virginia and as an instructor at the Richmond Baseball Academy South. Johnson has served as an assistant coach at Guilford College 2007-2008 and Wilkes Community College 2004-2005.

Johnson has coached at two top ranked high school programs. In 2002 Bartow H.S. in Florida won a district championship, regional championship, and played for the 3A state championship finishing state runner-up. In 2006 North Forsyth H.S. in North Carolina won a Metro conference championship finishing with a 30-2 record and a state final four appearance. The Vikings were also ranked nationally in Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball Magazine, and Sports Illustrated. Johnson has also served as a head coach for the Winston-Salem Post 128 Jr. American legion team.

Johnson played collegiately for one season 1992 at Lenoir Community College. Johnson sat out the next two seasons recovering from shoulder surgery and finished his career lettering two years 1995-1996 at Southeastern College in Lakeland, Florida. Johnson graduated with a B.S. degree in Psychology from Southeastern College in 2002 were he was a volunteer assistant coach during the 2001 season.

Outside of his time in coaching Johnson worked 3 years for Lifestyle Family Fitness the largest health club chain in the state of Florida where he held a certification in strength and conditioning. Johnson resides in Winston-Salem with his wife Rachel and their son Landon-Kai who is 5 years old.

Coach Ryan Smith enters his first season with the Cavaliers Baseball program as a 2nd assistant under Coach Michael Bender.

During the 2008-2009 season, Coach Smith served as a Volunteer Assistant with Mars Hill College, where he attended and played from 2004-2008, earning a BS Degree in Physical Education with a concentration in Sports Management. While at Mars Hill, Coach Smith's responsibilities included: working with outfielders and hitters, coaching 1st base, and assisting in recruiting.

Ryan Smith is currently the Head Coach of the Asheville Redbirds of the SCBL (Southern Collegiate Baseball League). Coach Smith's duties with the Cavaliers will include working with infielders and hitters along with helping with recruiting.