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Ultra-successful Jim DeHart has announced his retirement as Rowan County AmericanLegion baseball head coach after this season, and is recommending a former assistant as his successor.
DeHart, who hinted he might step down after the 1999 season, said he told Legion team manager Banks Barringer prior to the start of the 2000 season that this would be his last with Rowan.
“I was asked to continue this year,” said DeHart, who was upset during last season when he heard a couple of fans bad-mouthing his team. “I would never quit in anger or disgust or anything like that, so that’s the reason I decided to give them notice at the start of the year.”
DeHart, who took over in 1990 after the legendary Joe Ferebee retired, coached Rowan to the 1993 state championship and the 1996 regional title. The 1996 team went on to finish fourth in the nation in Oregon.
One of his assistant coaches throughout the 1990s and at the start of this season was Catawba College head baseball coach Jim Gant, who was dismissed by DeHart early last week. Ironically, DeHart thinks his longtime assistant should be the next head coach.
“It’s just time for me to move on,” said the 63-year-old DeHart, a native of Wilmington who has lived in Salisbury 28 years. “This is my 11th year, and it’s time for somebody younger to come in. I hope it’s Jim. I hope they give it to him. He certainly deserves it. We’ve been together 11 years.”
DeHart preferred not to elaborate on the reasons for the dismissal of Gant from his staff.
“It’s unfortunate that something personal happened. It has nothing to do with his character or my character. It’s just a difference of opinion. We’re going to leave it there.I wish him all the luck in the world, and I hope he gets this job,” said DeHart.
Gant said, “I just want everyone to know that I did not quit, that I did not run out on the team, and I’m disappointed.”
Gant has actually been on the same team with DeHart for 15 seasons, including four as a player at Catawba when DeHart was head coach for the Indians.
DeHart stepped into one of the best Legion programs in the state, but had big shoes to fill after Ferebee retired. Ferebee’s 1955, 1969, 1971 and 1984 teams won state titles, and the 1955 club finished third in the nation in St. Paul, Minn.
Ferebee’s teams compiled 25 straight winning records (1953-56 and 1967-87). After he resigned in 1956, Rowan had only five winning marks in the next 10 years. The winning tradition returned when he came back in 1967.
DeHart coached against Ferebee in college baseball beforeFerebee retired as Pfeiffer University’s head coach. DeHart also watched Ferebee’s Legion teams play from 1972 through 1989, when DeHart was coaching youth league teams.
“You don’t get that kind of record not knowing what you’re doing.He absolutely had good teams,” said DeHart. “The only difference between he and I, I had relief pitchers and he never did. That was one of his beliefs:He put a pitcher out there, and he stayed. My belief is not that. Other than that I think our philosophies are probably the same or similar.”
DeHart said it was easier to follow Ferebee because Ferebee’s last two teams had losing records in 1988 and 1989. Ferebee’s only other losing mark came in 1952.
“In no way, shape or form did I ever attempt to emulate him. I just wanted to do the best I could and get the kids out and let them play. I certainly have enjoyed it. They’ve made my 11 years very enjoyable,” said DeHart.
DeHart’s first team went 21-11, the lowest win total he had in the decade of the 1990s. Rowan went on to win 30, 33, 47, 35, 29, 41, 31, 42 and 27 games the rest of the decade. This year’s club stands 11-5.
“These teams have averaged 34 wins a year. It’s been fun. They’ve accomplished an awful lot,” he said, giving special praise to the 1993 and 1996 championship clubs.
Of course, he would like to add one more state championship before he ends his coaching career.
“I would love to. The kids would love it. It’s a reasonable goal. Daniel Moore decided to go to (North) Carolina instead of the draft, and we were very fortunate. That really helps our program. Without him, we could never win the state championship, if we get that far. We wouldn’t have a chance without his arm,” exclaimed DeHart.
Moore, Rowan’s ace left-hander, was selected Tuesday by the Florida Marlins in the 23rd round of the baseball draft. Moore has already signed a letter of intent with UNC and said before the draft that he would not turn pro.
DeHart said he’s not only enjoyed the players he’s coached at Rowan, but that he’s also appreciative of Legion officials and fans.
“These guys and ladies around this organization have been top-notch to me. I couldn’t have asked for anything else,” he said.
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Ed Dupree is senior sports writer of the Post.
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