Beebe done as Moniteau coach
CHERRY TWP — It was just over a month ago that the Moniteau softball team capped the most successful season in program history with an appearance in the Class AA state title game.
Now the Warriors are looking for a new coach.
Dan Beebe stepped down Thursday after guiding Moniteau to a 109-20 record in his six seasons of leading the team.
“When I left the field that day at Penn State (after the state final), I was focused on the fact that we had seven starters coming back. How do we get better and get one more win next season?,” said Beebe.
But in the aftermath of Moniteau's 9-3 defeat to Holy Redeemer, Beebe became aware of concerns from several people close to the program.
“People were saying that they didn't like my coaching style and that I got too much credit for the team's success,” he said.
At Moniteau's school board meeting on Monday, the school's baseball and track and field coaches were approved for the 2016-17 school year. The softball team, however, was left off of the agenda.
“It was an administrative decision to not fill the head softball coaching position at that time,” said Moniteau athletic director John Stoughton.
For Beebe, the writing was on the wall.
“I knew there was going to be a board meeting, but didn't find out until 3 p.m. Monday that softball was not on the agenda,” he said. “I figured if they wanted me back, they would have approved me.”
Beebe served as an assistant for the Warriors under Dan Hindman for three years before taking the reins of the program in 2011. During his time as head coach, the Warriors won four Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference titles and four District 9 crowns.
“Dan did a very good job here,” Stoughton said of Beebe. “He will always be part of the history of Moniteau softball.”
“It was never going to be a good time for me to leave Moniteau,” Beebe said. “I'm a Moniteau grad (Class of 1999). To be part of the success we had, it means a lot to me. This is where my heart is.”
Beebe will not spend next spring without softball. In fact, he has already found another coaching job, as an assistant to head coach Roni Mall at Butler County Community College.
“BC3 is in the county and I still get to coach softball,” he said. “I'm excited to get started.”
With all of the hardware the Warriors earned on his watch, that's not what Beebe relished most about his time at Moniteau.
“I'm very proud of all the trophies we won,” he said, “but that bond you form with the players and the coaches, that's what I'm going to miss the most.
“I leave Moniteau with no hard feelings,” Beebe added. “I developed a lot of friendships there and I wish the softball program all the best.”
Meanwhile, the Warriors are in search of their next head coach.
“We don't want to rush it,” Stoughton said. “We want to bring somebody in who knows the game.”
