SHIRER
––––
A lengthy Marysville High School coaching career has come to an end.
Chris Shirer, the Lady Monarch softball co-head coach, announced on Thursday that he is stepping down from the position.
Shirer spent 27 years with the MHS program, 17 of which as either head coach or co-head coach with Jennifer Segner-Maxwell.
“That’s long enough,” Shirer told the Journal-Tribune Thursday evening. “I’ve done everything I’ve wanted to do in softball.”
Shirer, who also served three years as an assistant coach at Ohio Dominican University, informed members of the MHS team Thursday afternoon and then notified athletic director Ryan Walker of his decision.
“It was pretty emotional when I talked to the girls,” he said.
Shirer, who turned 63 today, said there is no other reason for his decision.
“There are no underlying reasons,” he said. “I had fun this year, but the biggest thing is that as you get older, it (coaching) wears you out.
“You start in December (with preseason workouts) and go through the spring,” said Shirer. “That’s a long haul.
“I’ve always asked the girls to give 100 percent and I wouldn’t expect anything other than that for myself,” he said. “I just don’t feel that I can give 100 percent on a consistent basis,” he said. “I just knew it was time to leave.”
Shirer posted a record of 375-105 during his tenure with the Lady Monarchs.
Along the way, MHS captured eight Ohio Capital Conference divisional championships (including the 2018 season), six district titles and four regional runner-up finishes.