Harford Community College Athletics

R.J. Heinlen enters his 10th season with the Fighting Owls.

Heinlen returned to as an assistant coach as well as adding recruiting coordinator duties in 2020. Alongside interim head coach Joshua Houser, the Fighting Owls finished a shortened 2020 season with a 9-4 record. 

As a head coach in 2019, Heinlen led Harford to a 46-9 overall record and a 22-1 mark against Maryland Juco Conference foes. The Fighting Owls caught fire midway through the year, tearing off on school record 32-game win streak that lasted from March 16 through April 27. As a result, Harford laid claim to its fourth conference title in five years and fourth straight Region XX championship. Seven Fighting Owls were named to the All-Conference team and five to the All-Region XX side. Highlighting the bunch was sophomore pitcher Braeden Fausnaught, who became the 11th Fighting Owl in program history to earn All-American honors.

Prior to 2019, Heinlen spent seven seasons prior as an assistant coach at Harford under former head coach Tom Eller. The former hurler was in charge of the Fighting Owl pitching staff from 2014-18 after serving as a student assistant that helped with the pitchers in 2013. Alongside Elller, Heinlen helped guide Harford to five straight winning seasons, including a pair of 50+ win seasons in 2016 and 2017. 

Heinlen ('12) played during the 2010 and 2012 seasons, pitching out of the bullpen for the Region XX Champions. As a freshman, Heinlen led the team in appearances and owned a 2-0 record. During his sophomore year, Heinlen went 2-0 that included a complete game effort in his first career start. He struck out eight batters in the win over Rockville.

In addition to his coaching duties, Heinlen also serves as Harford's Sports Complex Manager and the Interim Athletics Facilities Manager.