RINGGOLD, Ga. -- There's a misconception going around that Jason Carter wants straightened out quickly.
After agreeing Tuesday to replace successful coach Steve Chattin as the head softball coach at Heritage High School, Carter made it known that he's not doing it as a favor or out of a sense of duty after serving as Chattin's assistant coach the past two seasons.
Though the decision was bittersweet, Carter said yes to principal Ronnie Bradford's offer because the former college baseball player has grown quite fond of the sport and the athletes who play it.
"To be honest, softball, though similar to baseball in a lot of ways, has so much more strategy to it," he said. "Also, I love coaching girls. They just have a different mentality sometimes. They will jump through a wall for you and they're so competitive. They are my No. 1 priority. They love the sport and have a real passion for it, and my goal is to give them the best opportunity to continue what they've done and not mess it up."
Chattin, whose teams won 198 games and four region championships in seven seasons, resigned last week, citing conflict within the program as the main reason. Carter said his time with Chattin makes taking the position both a blessing and an obstacle.
"The last four days have been obviously crazy," he said. "It took us all by surprise when Steve resigned, and there's no way to really replace him. There's a lot of different emotions that comes with a lot of this. After coaching with Steve the last couple of years, he's more than a coach -- he's a friend. He knows about softball than anyone I know, and I admire and respect him in so many ways."
Bradford said Carter is the right person to step in, not only because of his familiarity with the program and its athletes, but also because of his passion for coaching.
"Jason sees what these girls need, and he wants to step in and help them," Bradford said. "That says so much about him. He also believes in these girls, and he kind of fell in love with the team when he started working with them. I've worked with him for several years now, and I feel certain he and his staff will do a great job."
Assistant coach Alan Broom will remain with the team, and Tanner Moore, an assistant on the baseball team, also will coach softball next season, according to Carter.
"Having Coach Broom back is huge because the girls love him, and I asked Tanner Moore if he was interested in joining us, and having him will also bring a lot of experience," said Carter, who met with the team Tuesday. "That was the concern with our players and parents when Steve stepped down. Who are they going to get, and how is it going to affect us? I think they're comfortable with me and they know what to expect from me."
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296.