Perrien named new Red Oak softball coach

RED OAK—Red Oak Middle School principal Nate Perrien spent two years as an assistant coach with the Red Oak Tigers varsity softball team in ‘04-05, while he was there as a teacher.

However, Perrien had to resign because he was taking summer classes for his administrative degree.

“Once you become an administrator, it's hard to coach at the same time,” Perrien said.

Perrien showed some interest in the coaching vacancy in December, after Head Coach Denny Redel retired last summer and was officially named the new head coach for Red Oak's varsity softball team.

“It's really hard for me to shake this bug, this coaching bug,” Perrien said. “It's a part of working with kids that I really enjoy. It's like therapy to my 8-5 job.”

Perrien is in his first year back at Red Oak, only this time as the principal for the Middle School. He spent the last three years as the principal at the Riverside Middle School in Oakland.

“My wife's from Red Oak and I'd been driving back and forth,” Perrien said. “It was a better fit for not just me professionally, but for the family too.”

In her recommendation letter to the Superintendent, Activities Director Angie Spangenberg wrote that Perrien's rapport with the students is genuine and his leadership ability will be invaluable as the high school makes changes to the softball program.

“I just contacted Angie and said 'hey, I'm willing to do this if I'm the best you got, but don't put me ahead of everybody because I'm an administrator. Definitely give everybody else a look',” Perrien said. “She called me back and said let's talk about it.”

Perrien said the two wanted to make sure it would work with Perrien's job at the middle school and ensure softball wouldn't interfere.

Joining Perrien for the upcoming season will also be Paige Spangenberg and Jessica “J.” Browning.

Both assistants played for Red Oak's softball team and were a part of the only team to make it to the State Tournament.

Spangenberg is currently a senior at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, while Browning also serves as head coach for Stanton's varsity volleyball team.

Perrien said he's coached Spangenberg and knows her capabilities.

“I don't think I could have been any luckier with how the assistant coach selection worked out for me,” he said.

Perrien thinks  the familiarity of his assistants will be helpful for the team.

Red Oak finished the 2010 with a 17-16 record overall and 7-11 in the Hawkeye Ten.

Perrien said one of the goals he has in mind is for the team to definite their identity, adding that it's both a short-term and long-term goal.