Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Auburn High School has a new softball coach, and Christiansburg will begin the search for a replacement.
Sean Gaynor has served for the past two years in Christiansburg but will now move to Riner to lead the Auburn program. The change will allow Gaynor to coach in the school where he teaches.
“This has been a very difficult decision for me especially looking back on the CHS leadership and the great players and their dedication,” he said. “Administration at CHS have treated me with the utmost of respect and kindness from day one of me applying for the position.”
“Auburn has had a successful program for some years now and with the recent coach stepping down one could see they were in need of new leadership,” he continued.
Two years ago, Gaynor led Christiansburg to its first state title with a 24-3 record and was named the Class 3 coach of the year.
“We set the homerun record for the state of Virginia for all classes with all players in the lineup hitting home runs and even bench players coming in to join the derby. We were ranked number one for Class 3 and number four for all classes, and we have had the best record in school history,” Gaynor said in looking back.
Auburn has had its own success. Two years ago, the school claimed the Class 1 for the fourth straight year.
Gaynor feels that success will continue at Auburn as it is loaded with talent.
“We are looking for great things going forward. We hope to continue a culture of hard work and positive attitudes in the pursuit of our goals. I have been coaching for many years now and have always thought of coaching more-so as teaching and guiding. We coaches may have a particular sport we coach, but real coaches coach life. I hope to coach life skills and drive through sport,” he said.
Of course, there is a bonus for the new coach. He will coach his daughter, who plays for Auburn.
“One of the girls in particular I have coached in multiple sports and for 16 years now – we have the same last name, and she happens to be named after my grandmother. I will enjoy more time with her on the field,” he said.
