Larson new Milton softball coach

By BILL GAMBLIN

sports@srpressgazette.com

The coaching carousel has gotten off to an early start in Santa Rosa County as the Milton Panthers accepted the resignation of Ron O’Quinn on Monday.

O’Quinn, who took over the Lady Panthers’ softball team just prior to the Class 4A District Tournament in 2005, has accepted the head coaching position at Thomasville High School in Thomasville, Ga.

“This was probably the hardest decision I have ever had to make,” said O’Quinn. “But when I looked at all the factors if felt right for me.

“I will be working with a friend who I worked with for eight years and I will be closer to my parents.”

But while it felt so right to O’Quinn, who led the Lady Panthers this year to a District runner-up title to Navarre, it was very hard for him to tell his players about his decision.

“I had to tell the girls, which was very hard for me,” said O’Quinn. “When I told them Monday they were upset, but at the same time they understood.”

O’Quinn will be the first softball coach to ever lead the program at Thomasville High School.

“I guess you could say I am in the building process,” laughed O’Quinn. “I don’t know what I am walking into, but this was a decision I made because I like to take and build things up.

“They currently play all of their softball games at the baseball complex, but I am getting to come in as the first softball minded coach and start building things from the ground up.”

Milton High’s Administration did not waste any time in naming O’Quinn’s replacement to lead the Lady Panthers next season.

Assistant Coach Jeff Larson, who worked with the junior varsity and varsity programs this past season, has been tabbed as Milton’s new head coach.

“I just found out two days ago when Ron came and told me he had accepted a new job and asked if I’d be interested,” recalled Larson. “I took a day to think and I feel very fortunate when you think of all the applicants who applied.

“Ron let me have an opportunity as an assistant to work with the varsity and junior varsity and we will continue the same format he instilled.”

Despite staying with the same format it might not be quite as vocal down the third base line as some Milton softball fans have grown accustomed to.

“Ron is very vocal and a motivator, while I am more of a technical type of coach,” said Larson. “That is the game I know.”

Larson stressed that he hopes Assistant Coach Harold Neely will stay on with the softball program and he hopes to fill out his staff a little later on.

Following the announcement Milton Athletic Director Murray Rutledge talked about the coaching change.

“Not to say I am shocked about this,” said Rutledge. “I am sad to see (O’Quinn) go, but happy for him as this will be a good move for him and his family.

“We appreciate all his dedication to Milton High School and the softball team. He had a very good rapport with the players on his team.” 

Assistant Principal Mike Thorpe commented on just how valuable the coaching staff has become.

“It is a complement to the program for such a good assistant coach to be sitting there and be interested in the job,” said Thorpe. “Jeff is an x’s and o’s type of guy.

“There are so many things a casual fan doesn’t recognize during the course of a game that Jeff recognizes and understands.”

Larson understands the game and has an investment in the team with the fact his daughter Alyssa is a pitcher on the team, which will return 10 players from a roster of 14.

“One thing we need to work on is hitting the ball,” said Larson, who is also an assistant football coach. “You have to hit the ball to score runs.

“We have some decent pitching and play good defense, but we have hit to score runs.”

Alyssa is the current leader of the Lady Panthers pitching staff, but some of the names coming up that could star in the pitching circle at Milton include Chelsey Switzerlett, Ashleigh Douglass, and Katie Worley.