Shawnee baseball coach Rob Cassell steps down

Veteran coach wants to spend more time with his family

Shawnee High School baseball coach Rob Cassell has missed many of his son’s games over the last decade, and he doesn’t want to miss any more.

Cassell informed Shawnee players during a meeting on Sunday night he will not return to coach the team next season. Cassell’s oldest son Nick is entering his freshman year at Tecumseh, and another son is in middle school in the district.

“I’ve probably put my baseball programs in front of my boys and my family, and now it’s time for me to put them in front of me,” Cassell said. “It’s time to be a dad.”

Cassell coached Shawnee’s team the last three seasons and previously served as Springfield High School’s coach from 2008 to 2014. The Braves were above .500 each of the last three years, including last season’s 12-11 record.

RELATED: Shawnee hires Cassell as new baseball coach

The past season was difficult for the program. The district suspended play for two weeks in April while the Clark County Sheriff's Office investigated harassment allegations from a team trip to Tennessee in March. A volunteer coach and three players were barred from team activities as a result of the investigation. The Clark County Prosecutor's Office has since said that the investigation found no evidence of criminal activity and no charges were filed.

RELATED: No criminal charges expected in Shawnee baseball investigation

Shawnee athletic director Steve Tincher said it was not a situation any team should go through, but he was impressed with how Cassell and the players acted once games resumed.

“He was extremely positive with the kids and focused on carrying on and getting back to playing baseball,” Tincher said. “Even though we lost some games after that layoff, he was still positive. …Their ability to put aside what had taken place off the field and to come back and still have a successful season was really impressive.”

Shawnee lost five consecutive games after its two-week layoff. The team improved after that and later posted a five-game winning streak.

“The kids decided that what happened wasn’t going to define them as a baseball program,” Cassell said. “They decided they were going to work and do what they needed to do to get better. For us to come out with a winning record after everything they went through and everything that went on is a credit to those kids and their parents.

“I’ve been coaching for 20 years as an assistant and head coach, and I can honestly say that was one of the most rewarding seasons that I’ve ever had with the kids. The resiliency those kids showed is something you don’t see every day.”

Though Cassell said his sons’ athletic careers are his top priority, he’ll still be keeping track of Shawnee.

“If they need help with anything, I’ll be there for them,” he said.

Cassell said he hopes to return to coaching after his sons graduate, and he’ll have at least one good reference in his former boss.

“He’ll end up coaching for many years and he’ll have a lot more success,” Tincher said.

Tincher said he’ll begin looking for the program’s next coach in mid-August.

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