02/08/2026
A lot of people have asked me what’s going on with Tenacity and why I’ve decided not to coach next year, so I figured I’d just put it out there.
After 16 years of coaching, I’m ready for a break.
There wasn’t one single thing that made me decide that. It’s been building for a while. But probably the biggest reason is that I’m tired of fighting with high school programs just to find time to practice.
The part of coaching I’ve always enjoyed the most is teaching the game and developing players. I like taking a kid, figuring out what she needs to get better at, and then putting in the work to help her get there. That’s why I coach.
At the older ages, it has become increasingly difficult to do that. Between school ball, summer programs, camps, workouts, open facilities and everything else, there just isn’t much time left for a travel team to actually practice. I’ve gotten tired of constantly trying to work around school schedules and fighting for a couple hours here and there with my own team.
I understand the high schools have their programs to run, and I’m not blaming them for doing what they believe is best for their programs. I’ve just reached the point where I don’t want to keep fighting that battle.
I don’t want to be a coach who just puts a roster together and shows up on tournament weekends. I want to teach. I want to practice. I want to develop players. If I can’t do that, a big part of why I coach is gone.
So Tenacity is going on the shelf for now.
More than anything, I want to thank all of the girls and families who have allowed me to be a part of their lives over the last 16 years. I’ve had an absolute blast, and I have more great memories from softball than I could ever begin to count.
There have been championships and tough losses, long weekends, ridiculously hot days, early mornings, late nights and countless hours at softball fields. I’ve watched little girls grow into young women. I’ve watched them become successful high school players, earn postseason honors, go on to play college softball and eventually move on to the next chapters of their lives. Getting to be a small part of their journey has meant more to me than they probably realize.
I’ve also made a lot of friendships with players, parents, coaches and others around the game that I never would have had without softball. For that, I’ll always be thankful.
I’m not disappearing from the softball field, either. I’ve been umpiring for the last six or seven years and plan to continue doing that. I love the game, and I still enjoy being around it. I’m just stepping away from the responsibility and commitment that comes with running a team.
As for coaching again someday? I honestly don’t know.
If I do, I think there’s a pretty good chance I’ll go back to the younger ages — maybe 8U or 10U. Back to teaching the game from the ground up, practicing, developing players and hopefully helping another group of little girls fall in love with softball.
But I don’t have to decide that right now.
For now, I’m looking forward to being a dad and a new grandpa, riding my motorcycle, doing some camping and having something I haven’t had in a very long time — weekends that aren’t dictated by my own team’s tournament schedule.
It’s been a hell of a 16-year ride. I’ve had a blast, made some great friends and have a lifetime of memories from it. To every player and every family who trusted me enough to let me coach their daughter and be a small part of her life — thank you.
Jay
