There exists an old theory in coaching circles that one never wants to be the coach who replaces a successful coach in a new job. Instead, you’d want to be the coach that follows the coach that followed the guy.
Undaunted, new South Williamsport softball coach Jeanette Spagnuolo is excited about the opportunity as she enters her first season at the helm of a Mountaineers program that is coming off four consecutive District IV championship crowns and two consecutive PIAA AA state championship appearances.
When veteran coach Tom O’Malley resigned from the post he had held for six years in early January, Spagnuolo stepped in to fill the void.
“When I began giving softball lessons in this area a year ago, some of the South Williamsport girls were talking to me about their team. I was excited for them and all they accomplished. I know they worked very hard to achieve their success. When the South job came open, I had a conversation with Brett Herbst [South athletic director], and I’m excited to have this opportunity.”
Spagnuolo brings a wealth of softball experience to the Mountaineers’ dugout.
Growing up in Chester County, she played softball in high school and began her college career at Division One LaSalle University, playing pitcher and third base. Prior to her junior year, she transferred to Lock Haven University. At LHU, she was a pitcher on a team that won a Division II national championship her senior year. Following graduation, she played softball overseas in Austria, where she had her first opportunity to coach. Returning to the States, she served as an assistant coach for seven seasons at Swarthmore College. She later started her own travel ball organization and has been a softball instructor for many years. She is married with four children and moved to Williamsport two years ago.
As the new season approaches, Spagnuolo is eager to get started.
“These girls, they work. I have had experiences with many athletes of all ages and had a thought in my head about high school athletes and how I might have to approach the season. They completely changed my mind as to how I should proceed. They work so hard. They are so supportive of each other. It is like they all know why they are there, and they have been soaking everything in that I am presenting to them. It is so incredibly exciting to see how they care about each other and their desire to play the game. It seems like a very special team.”
Spagnuolo describes her coaching style as passionate.
“I am passionate. As I begin this role, I want to continue to be as patient as possible. If you were to talk to the girls, I think they would tell you I am all in. That’s who I am and how I coach. When it comes to practice, we just don’t do things. I want them to be in the moment, making it as team-wise as we can all the time. That is just who I am and how I do things with all my heart.
“When I look back at what the South Williamsport softball team has achieved, I probably think of it just like a freshman joining the team for the first time would feel. A freshman comes to high school excited, sees how successful the program has been, and they want to be a part of that. But, at the same time, they don’t have any idea of what the end result is going to be. That’s how I’m approaching the season.
“I’m most appreciative for the welcome and help I’ve received from my assistants (Danny Pinkerton and Brett Herbst) and am going to rely on them to get a feel for what the competition may be like. But I want to compare that to high-level athletes, prepare our players, and how I can individually help each one of our girls to perform at their best possible potential. That includes doing the little things right and getting them to a place where they can feel comfortable.
“If they can become successful as an individual, that will help us become successful as a team. At this early stage, what that is going to look like, I have no idea. But I do know ball, and I know that if you can do the little things right, good things will follow.”
Last season, South Williamsport faced a demanding schedule that included only one Class A or AA team opponent, that being Northeast Bradford, which played in the Class A state championship game. This year’s schedule is again challenging with Troy, Hazelton, Minersville, Jersey Shore, Mifflinburg, and the Williamsport Tournament among the opponents.
“Despite losing the quality players from last year’s team, this year’s roster has a good mix of kids. We have senior leadership, some talented sophomores, a group of juniors trying to break in, and some solid freshmen. It is a good group. I know the class that just graduated was very talented, and that’s great when you have them,” Spagnuolo acknowledged. “But when that’s done, it’s difficult when you’re building a team. But they all seem eager to play, and they all have opportunities ahead of them to contribute to this year’s team success. We’ll play the schedule and see what happens.”
