Monett taps familiar face to lead softball program

By Jared Lankford monettsports@gmail.com

Turns out, Monett did not need to look that hard to find its next head softball coach, as the district named alumna Kaesha George to the post.

“I’m beyond excited to return home and take over the softball program,” George said. “It was always a dream to coach at Monett, but I didn’t expect it to be the first thing that happened to me (after college).”

George, a 2020 graduate, was a decorated three-sport athlete at Monett.

A two-time state champion in the javelin, George set a state record her junior year with a toss of 151.6 feet. In basketball, she was a First Team All-Conference and All-District selection, and she ranks sixth all-time in scoring history for the Lady Cubs.

As a softball player, George was an All-State, All-District, and All-Conference selection, leading the Lady Cubs to their state title in 2017, recording the final out on a fly ball to centerfield to secure the victory.

“I had several people tell me that I needed to apply for the softball job,” George said. “Going through the process, I wasn’t nervous. The hardest thing was calling Mr. Goetz by his first name, Ty, and not Mr. Goetz.”

Goetz, who is Monett’s current Athletic Director, was the head coach of that state title team and led the Lady Cubs to two Final Four appearances during his tenure.

“We interviewed by phone, and it was easy for our goals and coaching styles to align,” George said. “With him being at Monett still, and able to guide me when I need help, I believe it can only be a positive.”

Goetz said he was happy when he saw George’s name in the candidate pool.

“Coaching Kaesha, I already knew how she handled adversity and acted in tough situations,” Goetz said. “That was a benefit of knowing her. At the same time, I am tasked with choosing a coach that I believe is the best for the Monett program. After interviewing the candidates, it was clear Kaesha was the best fit.”

One thing that Goetz stressed is that he wants George to take ownership of the Lady Cubs team, but to also know that he is always willing to help.

“It is Kaesha’s team,” Goetz said. “I don’t want people to think otherwise or a coach feeling like they have to look over their shoulder. That being said, Kaesha is a first-year coach and I want her to be comfortable enough to come to me if and when she might need help.”

George will also fulfill another dream of hers, coaching and working with her mother, Kelly George.

“I grew up in the gym with my mom coaching,” George said. “In the back of my mind, it was something that I always wanted to do and something we joked about. But having it now become a reality it is exciting.”

George has turned her full attention to building the Lady Cubs program.

“When I played, conference and district championships were a baseline,” George said. “We expected to make a playoff run. We expected to win games. I want to get back to the point where teams feared playing us.”

Getting to that point begins with shifting the culture at Monett and getting players to come out and play.

“When I was playing, our teams were fun,” George said. “Softball should be fun. You should have fun with your teammates and be connected to each other. I would tell girls who are on the fence about playing to come out a try out for the team. 

“I wasn’t sure I wanted to play softball, and next thing I know, we were winning a state title. I want our girls to just come out and see what happens.”