Jimmy Pierce is leaving the Sale Creek high school baseball program much better than he found it.
In five seasons at the helm Pierce led the Panthers to a 70-49-2 overall record, including back-to-back district championships and their first region championship in a record-setting, 22-win campaign this spring. Before his tenure the program had not won a district championship since 1979.
After Sale Creek's season ended with an 11-9 loss to Gordonsville in last Friday's Class A sectional, Pierce announced he will step away from the program to spend more time with his family. Panthers hitting coach Dalton Conley will take over the program.
"When I was first hired I wanted to get more kids to come out and play," said Pierce, whose teams fashioned a 16-5 district record the past three seasons. "As a coach I always wanted to treat my players right, make the game fun and build a competitive environment. To see how far they have come and the success they have had has been really rewarding.
"Dalton did a great job as our hitting coach this season. Stepping away I feel comfortable because I know I have a guy right here who will do a good job. The kids love him and he loves the boys."
Ooltewah hires Seth Hickman
Seth Hickman will take over the Owls baseball program after spending the last three seasons as the head coach of North Murray High School. The former Heritage High School standout and Carson-Newman graduate takes over for Brian Hitchcox, who stepped away after 14 seasons with Ooltewah.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.