Reluctant Koenig gets the job done
He’s been the right person for the job.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CANFIELD — In some ways, Canfield High baseball coach Matt Koenig wishes his dream — coaching at his alma mater — hadn’t come true.
Koenig, a 1991 graduate of Canfield and a catcher who played for Lee Frey, became head coach after Tony Ross resigned following the 2005 season. Koenig, who teaches in Boardman, was an assistant on Ross’ staff.
“Nobody wanted to take over,” said Koenig, who threw his name in for consideration only after he learned that Ross wanted to recommend him.
“He said he would like to pass my name along,” Koenig said. “He told me ‘I think you’re the right guy for this.’ So I said OK ... obviously with a heavy heart.”
Very good record
So far, so good. In two years, Koenig has guided the Cardinals to two regional tournaments, 51 victories and one state appearance.
Friday at 10 a.m., Canfield (27-4) will play Sandusky Perkins (24-5) in a Division II state semifinal game at Cooper Stadium in Columbus. The winner will play for the state crown Saturday at 4 p.m.
“He’s great guy,” said Drew Turocy, Canfield’s ace pitcher who’s expected to start Friday’s game. “He knows his stuff — they couldn’t have picked a better guy.”
Senior shortstop Mike Hoelzel agreed.
“It’s been really fun to play under Coach K,” Hoelzel said. “He’s a players’ coach, he gets the best out of us, he knows how to motivate us. He really knows the game.”
Koenig’s journey back to Canfield began at Edinboro University in Edinboro, Pa., where he played baseball for two seasons.
“I didn’t really enjoy it,” Koenig said. “It was a lot different from what I thought. I didn’t really like the university as much as I had anticipated so I finished up at Youngstown State.
“That’s when I started my coaching career when Coach [Bob] Tinkey was the baseball coach here. He asked me to be the [junior varsity] coach.”
Post-college
After graduating with his education degree, Koenig moved to Weldon, N.C., to teach high school. He moved back to Ohio after his friend, Dan Reardon (now Ursuline’s football coach), told him about an opening in Warren that would allow him to be an assistant for the football and baseball programs.
In 2004, Koenig was hired to teach at Boardman Center Middle School. Ross needed a replacement when Tod Thorne left his staff and brought Koenig back to Canfield’s program.
“Obviously, the Little League program here is just fantastic, one of the best in the state,” said Koenig of his hometown. “What a great thing to be able to come back to your school and help out.”
Koenig’s wife, Susanne, is from Boardman. They have two daughters: McKenzie, 2, and Marina, 2 months. His parents, Jim and Patricia, live in Canfield.
In his first season as varsity coach, Koenig guided the Cards to a 24-6 record that included a 12-1 record to win the Metro Athletic Conference.
“Last year, we lost the regional semifinal to Alliance,” Turocy said. “It was a heartbreaker.”
Third state appearance
This year, the Cards have been breaking hearts, earning the third state appearance for the school. In 1998 and 2004, Canfield lost state semifinal games.
Turocy’s brother, Frank, was a starter on the 2004 team that lost to Steubenville at Cooper Stadium.
“He told me it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity so we should take it all in and enjoy it,” said Turocy, who will join his brother on the University of Akron baseball team next season.
Turocy said he didn’t attend Canfield’s 1998 state game at Canton’s Thurman Munson Stadium but watched his brother’s team in 2004 with a little envy.
“I sat in the stands as freshman watching the game thinking this was such a great experience,” Turocy said. “It’s a dream come true. You walk in there and imagine playing in front a packed crowd.”
williams@vindy.com