Final Coaches Corner for Softball’s John Gallagher
The ReSporter has learned that Head Coach John Gallagher will be stepping down as coach of Canyon Lake’s Softball team for this coming school year.
Here is an informational Coaches Corner for Mr. Gallagher to help inform you of his plans and thoughts.
The ReSporter: Tell us what is in store for your future.
Coach Gallagher: “I have accepted a position with Comal ISD to oversee and work with the security of two schools, the Comal Disciplne Center and Memorial Early College High School.”
The ReSporter: Do you know what the process in finding a replacement will be and what might be their criteria?
Coach Gallagher: “I know that the softball job will be posted and there should be a fair amount of interest in it.”
The ReSporter: What would you like to say bout where this team is as they go into their next school season.
Coach Gallagher: “This team should be very competitive next year and compete again for a district championship. Having lost two seniors gives the team a strong returning core to build on.”
The ReSporter: What was one game that jumps out as one of the best games you saw at Canyon Lake?
Coach Gallagher: “It’s hard to say because we had so many great games. A couple would be the 2016 season when we came back and beat Wimberley and Navarro to end our year. This year I think every district game was memorable along with sweeping Navarro for the Bi-District Championship.”
The ReSporter: Do you still have your family attending CL? If not, then where will they end up?
Coach Gallagher: “My daughters will still be attending Canyon Lake High School as well as my wife (MaryBeth) who will still be teaching and coaching.”
The ReSporter: You do not have to answer this, but if you wanted….I would like to know who you felt was the best player you coached at Canyon Lake.
Coach Gallagher: “I have coached so many great players during my time at Canyon Lake. I was blessed to have talent and hard-working athletes who always showed a ‘never quit’ attitude as exhibited on this year’s squad.”
The ReSporter: What will you be doing during the Softball Season next year? There will be some time you will need to fill with something…what would that be, reading a book?
Coach Gallagher: “Next season I will hopefully be watching Canyon Lake play as much as I can. It will be a tough, not coaching, but hopefully I can enjoy watching some good softball.”
The ReSporter: Give us some of your lasting memories for Coaching at CL and then give us your thoughts on your Career Coaching as you will end with 459 lifetime wins.
Coach Gallagher: “The 2012 playoff team was a first for Canyon Lake, and working for Coach (Matt) Monzingo who hired me. Working for Coach Drum, being the Girls Athletic Coordinator, coaching along side Coach (Jim) Chamberlin and (MaryBeth) Gallagher, the competition and various tournaments, post game meals at night, the practices, the pride of walking out onto the softball field and calling it home, all our fans and parents, the friendships made with other coaches, and most of all the relationships I had with my players throughout the years.”
The ReSporter: Thanks Coach, it was a pleasure covering your teams these past 10 years.
Coach Gallagher: “Thank-you for doing a great job in covering Canyon Lake Softball and all our sports. I’ll miss the on the spot questions that you posed as well as the great articles. People don’t realize how nice it is to have a home-town news outlet covering our teams. Keep up the good work Don. Thank-you and GO HAWKS!