BY TRISTAN SASSE
Tiger Media Network
Late last month, the Fort Hays State University baseball program began the process of taking a different direction. After five straight losing seasons and the resignation of head coach Steve Johnson, the Tigers hired Jerod Goodale, who has a history of guiding teams towards the promised land.
Goodale, a native of Hays, jumped at
the opportunity of returning to his stomping grounds by becoming the 15th head coach in Tiger program history. Familiar with the area, Goodale has been around Larks Park for many years as a fan, player and coach.
An alumnus of Fort Hays, he spent four years (2001 to 2004) as a catcher with the Tigers. Being on many successful clubs, he had a collegiate record of 157-66, including a trip to the 2003 NCAA Tournament.
“I’m very excited to be back, always kind of viewed Fort Hays as my team,” Goodale said. “To have an opportunity to lead a program that you played for, grew up admiring and then coached for, that’s a dream job for me.”
Goodale also spent the ‘05 and ‘06 seasons with the Tigers as an assistant coach. The last time FHSU qualified for the national tournament was in 2006.
After his stint with the Tigers, Goodale spent time as an assistant coach at Wichita State and Angelo State in Texas. Having winning records at both programs, he was part of a staff that guided the Shockers to the Super Regional of the NCAA Tournament twice during a three-year span.
Before returning to FHSU, Goodale spent seven seasons in Golden, Colo., with Colorado School of Mines. When he took the position, Mines had recorded 12 consecutive losing seasons. By his third year in Golden, the program had found a winning way and produced a winning record for the first time in 14 years.
During the last three seasons in Colorado, Goodale led his club to a combined record of 98-55, including a 37-18 mark in 2018. Goodale’s presence was felt in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, as he earned RMAC Coach of the Year honors in 2016.
Although coaching at Fort Hays was always in the back of Goodale’s mind, the decision wasn’t easy as he tried to remain focused on the Orediggers’ season.
“When it came open and the opportunity presented itself, we’re right in the middle of the postseason at Mines so you’re trying to stay focused on your team,” Goodale said. “But in those free times, you’re definitely thinking about it and talking to the family about it, and that kind of excitement builds.”
With his successful coaching resumé, Goodale knows what it takes to rebuild a program. After seeing some of his teams struggle, he always has found a way to give his players the best opportunity to succeed.
“I’m very competitive, and it’s not like I love to win, I just hate to lose more than anything,” Goodale said. “If you lose enough and you’re kind of wired that way, you’re going to figure it out.”
Even though a rebuilding process is needed, Goodale is on board for turning around the program at his alma mater.
“First and foremost is getting good people and surrounding yourself with them and just getting to work,” Goodale said. “Just trying to surround yourself with obviously some talent but the right type of kids that have a chance to be successful here.”
Goodale is looking forward to a fresh start at FHSU and is ready to rebuild his former team. With a chance to fix the program, Goodale is looking for proven players who want to win.
“It doesn’t matter where they’re from if they can play,” Goodale said. “Not necessarily the most talented guys but the right guys that are a good fit for the conference, the region and the school itself.”
The season for the Tigers begins in February.