Coach Ray Honored at Senior Night 2023.(Photo:GaryBolden)

Coach Ray Retires For More Family Time

5/24/23 Evensville, TN

I have covered coach Rusty Ray for the last 10 years. I knew this was a tough decision to leave the game he loves. Rusty is an "old fashioned" coach. I think about Rusty and I think, hard work and respect. Rusty gave it his all. Never doubted his effort or his heart. Rusty has been on a baseball field, somewhere in Rhea County for almost 5 decades, either playing or coaching baseball. The new coach may be better at analytics, social media, pitching concepts, or hitting analysis, but it will be hard to match his "love-of-the-game". Coach Ray answered a few question about his time in baseball and time as RCHS baseball coach.

Why is it time to step down?

"First of all, I would like to thank my Lord and savior Jesus Christ for the opportunity to be part of the young men's lives and be associated with Rhea County baseball during my tenure as assistant and head coach. Honestly, there are several reasons. I love my players and the program. I simply feel it is time for a new coach with much more energy. I am not as young as I used to be. Also, my youngest son Keaton is playing on the collegiate level, and I would like to be able to catch more of his games. The games of Keaton's I miss, I will never get back. Lastly, I have physical aches and pains that hinder me while coaching."

What will you miss most about coaching Rhea County Baseball?

"That's an easy question to answer. I will miss my players! I love my guys! I will miss the preparation, competition, and feeling you get from winning games, but without a doubt I will miss the players more than anything!"

Favorite game memory or memories?

"Whenever we beat Cookeville!"

Favorite player(s) to coach?

"This is a tough question. Of course, coaching my sons Westin and Keaton created great memories that will last a lifetime. I can name guys from each team, but the list would be long.

Most talented player(s) you coached?

"Another tough question. I can't name just one Gary. I've been fortunate enough to coach many. I will say stats do not lie and are unbiased when a player hits .529 for the season, .569 in the district and steals 46 bases, makes all-state and then the ultimate 9 team (Westin Ray)."

Best team(s) you coached?

"I have had some good ones and loved coaching every single one of them. The 2016 team was filled with a bunch of competitors! We were so close to be the first Rhea County team to ever play in the state tournament. The 2017 was as talented and we had that feeling we would be that first team to go to the state. They smashed the baseball all season long. Unfortunately, as this game exposes, the best team does not always win. A less talented team ended our season in the district tournament. I remember how we all stood there with this "this can't be happening" look on our faces. I really feel that team was a state playoff contender. I would also like to add that the 2020 team had the potential to be really good. We started off 4-1 with a win over 2 state tournament teams from the previous year. We will never know because Covid took away those kid's seasons."

Best pitcher(s) you coached?

"Once again, another tough question. 2017 graduate Braxton Dieckhaus comes to mind. I rode him like an old, borrowed mule. He was such a competitor, each time I put him out there, he was a bulldog on the bump and won most of his games. Current player JP Brannen is a good one. He ranks up there on my list and has a big-time future off the mound."

How has your coaching changed over the years?

"Early in my career I was only focused on winning baseball games. I had some really good teams at Rhea Middle and early years at RCHS. We won a lot of games, but while winning those games, I wish I had spent extra time building a more personal relationship with each player. Wins are important, but relationships last a lifetime."

What have you learned about coaching since 2014?

"Coaching can be rewarding and frustrating. The frustrating part is feeling like you've done everything you can to have your team prepared for an opponent and then go out there and make mental mistakes and errors and give the game away. But that happens! Coaches are sometimes measured by wins, but what I have learned is not all about wins. Building character and relationships last longer than wins."

What has been the biggest change in the high school game over the last decade?

"I don't see as many good teams and pitchers. There may be one or two here and there, but there used to be some really strong districts top to bottom. District 5AAA used to be one of the strongest in the state, top to bottom. Good teams, good pitchers! I just don't see that as much anymore. Knoxville has some good teams and arms in region 2."

Your least favorite aspect of being a head coach?

"Dealing with parents who look through rose-colored glasses."

Best player Rhea County played against?

"Quite a few, but two that immediately come to mind are Talon Harris and Tre Carter. Both were studs from Soddy".

Best coach(es) you have coached against over the last decade?

"There have been many. Just to mention a few, Brian Hitchcox, Wes Caldwell, Travis Adams, Jon Johnson, Mike Kinney. Top of the list would be Steve Garland. Great coach and even better man!"

Talk about how you navigated the journey of coaching your sons at Rhea County?

"This is fun to talk about Gary. I coached Westin, Cale, and Keaton the years they played in the recreation leagues and man we had a lot of fun! When kids are at that age, that is all it needs to be about, nothing but teaching fundamentals and having fun! I remember changing from one jersey to another, one field to the other in one night coaching my boys. Cale decided he would rather play in the creek than on the field, so that is what he did! It was a chore for Krista to keep up with Cale up and down that creek catching crawdads while trying to watch the other two play."

"Westin and Keaton evolved into travel ball and that is where their game moved to another level. When they reached high school, they were ready for varsity. I made it a personal goal not to be harder on my sons than other players because I've seen other coaches do that. The success they had on the field is to their credit. Krista and I provided the resources and they put in the work. I had a blast coaching them in high school as well. We can honestly say, we had fun!!"

Did you have any misperceptions in your thinking about how head coaching at RCHS was going to be?

"I don't recall having a misperception of how head coaching at RCHS would be. I knew it would be tons of fundraisers, hard work, time spent away from the family. It takes that kind of commitment!"

What advice do you have for a young coach just getting into coaching?

"Build close relationships with your players. They won't care what you know, until they know you care!!"

Talk about George and his contributions to the team over the years?

"George is not just my father-in-law, but one of my best friends. When I asked George to come on board with me it was like giving candy to a baby. Not sure if I have ever met a bigger sports nut than George. He has always loved to keep sports stats. He provided me with updated stats on each individual player at least twice a week! I am talking about around 10 different categories of stats for each. The importance of George's contribution to our teams may not have been noticed by the general fan in the stands, but I guarantee you, the program thrived because of his input. Also, the players love George. You could always tell when George entered the dugout because the players would greet him. They were genuinely glad to see him each day. Coach Latham was surprised when he heard George was retiring from baseball at the same time as I. He said, "George has always been here, I just assumed he would be here next year." The program needs to find another George, that's for sure!"

Do you have anyone who you can sound off to and discuss the game besides your coaches?

"Sure…my son Westin is usually the first to call/text me after a game wanting to talk about it. Westin would make a great coach! Then Keaton will call/text and tell me congrats or want to know why we lost. When I get home, I "sound off" to Krista, sometimes and she will listen."

What was the most important characteristic you looked for in a coach?

"Character! I wouldn't want to put someone around my players that would be of bad influence."

How nice was it to get the turf infield installed?

"Sweet!! It saves money, time, and tons of work! We could also get games that would normally be postponed. Also, after games, I could say a few words, tell them to clean the dugouts and go home. No field work."

If the program had the money, what improvements would you like to see be made to the fields, facilities and/or program?

"Put artificial turf on the outfield. New backstop netting. We are blessed to have some of the best facilities of any high school around in our area."

How often do former players reach out or do you reach out to them?

"Quite often. Not many home games have gone by where a former player hasn't dropped by the dugout to see me. Some drop by on away games too. I will send a text to former players from time to time."

What percentage of players have gone on to excel at the next level from Rhea County baseball?

"Probably need to refer this question to George. He can have that to you in an hour…haha!
Just roughly looking back and remembering some of those guys, it is probably a higher number than what I would think. I've had some good players come through and move on to the next level."

So how many years have you been on a baseball field somewhere in Rhea County?

"I played in the recreation leagues and was a Golden Eagle. I coached my boys in rec leagues, coached Rhea Middle school team, and high school. Roughly 30+ years. Been on a baseball field somewhere for about 45 years."

Does it seem like the years went by too fast?

"Absolutely! The older you get, the faster they go!!"

Talk about Terry Goins and how much you miss his presence covering baseball?

"I really miss my friend. TG was part of our program. He was the voice of Eagle Baseball. He was the first on the bus sitting in that 2nd seat behind the driver when we were on the road. I nearly tear up every time I hear his recording of  "take me out to the ballgame" played at our home games. I am proud we were able to name the press box the Terry Goins Press box and our concessions is called TG's Cafe. He is still with us."