By Allison Peck
Listen to the full interview on our Kubota Podcast
Eagle Media’s newest voice in local sports is bringing a love for broadcasting, a passion for athletics, and a little Southern charm to North Platte.
Hayden Coker recently joined Eagle Media as the company’s new sports director and production manager. The 24-year-old will serve as the voice of the North Platte High Bulldogs, while also covering area sports and contributing sports news to The North Platte Post.
Coker grew up in Asheville, Alabama, a small community of about 2,000 people. His interest in sports broadcasting began in high school, when he started working on sports reports and providing sideline coverage.
That interest continued at Jacksonville State University, where Coker worked with the student-led radio station. His college work earned national recognition, including an honorable mention for best audio sportscast and a first-place award for campus media engagement during a 24-hour radiothon.
After college, Coker continued building his broadcasting experience with the Puma basketball circuit. He traveled to tournaments around the country, providing play-by-play and color commentary while also working with photography and social media.
The experience took him to cities including Orlando, Bryan, Texas, Kansas City, and Indianapolis, giving him the opportunity to cover some of the country’s top young basketball players.
Coker eventually made the move from Alabama to Nebraska after accepting the position with Eagle Media. The trip took about 17 hours, split over two days, with his dad helping him make the drive.
Although North Platte is a long way from home, Coker said he’s enjoyed the transition and has already felt welcomed by the community. He has also joined Berean Church.
For Coker, sports broadcasting is about more than calling the action. He wants to build relationships with the athletes he covers and follow their careers throughout high school.
“I want to get to know these people,” Coker said. “I want to get to know their families.”
He hopes the athletes he covers will remember him as someone who supported them, told their stories, and helped make their high school sports experiences special.
Football and basketball remain Coker’s favorite sports, but he has developed a new appreciation for volleyball since arriving in Nebraska. Having never called a volleyball match before, he said he quickly discovered how much fun the sport can be to broadcast.
He’s also become a fan of Nebraska volleyball, watching the Huskers and listening to radio broadcasts as he learns more about the state’s sports culture.
Coker is a lifelong Auburn fan and supports the Cleveland Browns in the NFL. He brought his Baker Mayfield jersey with him to Nebraska and hopes to add some Auburn football gear to his office.
As he gets familiar with North Platte athletics, Coker is looking forward to covering the Bulldogs and getting to know the athletes who represent the school. Some of the football players already on his radar include Owen Shea, Breckin Korkow, Reese Perry, Jake Kinkaid, and Carter Still.
He’s also excited to cover volleyball, including Jaycee Burke.
Along with his sports director responsibilities, Coker will work as Eagle Media’s production manager, helping record commercials and work with clients across the company’s stations.
Outside of sports, Coker describes himself as someone who enjoys people and conversation. If he weren’t working in broadcasting, he said he could see himself teaching high school history.
He also enjoys karaoke and listens to a mix of Bruno Mars, Morgan Wallen, T-Pain, Chris Brown, and older country music.
Coker said he hopes to make a positive impact in North Platte and become more than just the voice heard during a game.
“I came here to rub a little bit of Hayden Coker off on Nebraska, and I think I'm going to leave with a little more Nebraska on me.”
Coker said he doesn’t plan on leaving anytime soon.
You can find Coker’s sports coverage and broadcasts at thenorthplattepost.com, on 98.1 FM, and AM 1410.