Linsenmeyer resigning from coaching, teaching position

The Guthrie High School softball program will soon be searching for a new head coach. Lee Linsenmeyer informed school officials this week that he will be leaving both his coaching and teaching positions.

Linsenmeyer, who has coached for 18 years, led the Lady Jays program for three seasons and compiled a 62-52 record. Prior to Guthrie, Linsenmeyer had coaching stints at Enid, Stillwater, Perkins, Stroud and Mulhall-Orlando.

The coach informed his players, on Wednesday, of his decision to step down. Several players and parents received the news with sadness.

“I am not one who usually shows a lot of emotion, but I got choked up a little bit too. I will have to say that was the hardest thing I think I had to do,” Linsenmeyer said.

Linsenmeyer plans to leave education and pursue other opportunities. He says leaving the classroom (education) is the “only” reason why he is leaving and not the softball field.

Linsenmeyer is expected to leave in a few weeks.

Although, the program was unable to reach the state tournament, Linsenmeyer had the program playing at a level it had not seen in years. In fact, the program reached a number five ranking in the 2012 season where they finished with a 23-16 record.

“I am really proud of what we were able to do and all that falls back on the girls. I told them from day one, I don’t hit a ball, I don’t catch a ball and I don’t throw a ball in a game and with their hard work they bought into that,” Linsenmeyer said.

“I couldn’t ask any more and being more proud of those girls over the last three years. It was a great opportunity.”

Along with the play on the field, Linsenmeyer transformed the program with fundraising, team camps and facility upgrades, including upgraded playing conditions, ballpark improvements and an indoor facility.

“Without the parents (help) we would not have not gotten all the maintenance done. I could not have asked for a better situation.”

Linsenmeyer believes that next season the team will have a great opportunity of making the state tournament. An accomplishment that has not been achieved since 1997.

“I really believe they should make the state tournament this next year. We did not lose anybody and in Class 5A we may have the best pitching staff with our three pitchers. Defense is what got to pick up, but offense and pitching we are going to be as good as anybody in 5A.”

Ironically, Linsenmeyer took over the top position after previous coach Brian Jackson also stepped down to pursue opportunities outside of education.