McCune takes over softball program

After 14 years of coaching baseball, including the last five at Coffeyville Community College, Ryan McCune has decided it is time to tackle a new challenge. McCune will move over to the softball diamond as head coach of the Ravens’ softball program.

“I really wanted to do this,” said McCune. “I know a lot of people fell out of their chairs when I told them I wanted to coach softball. It was almost like a cartoon – they were speechless.”

The idea of coaching softball had been brewing for a few years with McCune, so when former Raven softball coach Crystal Vega left after the 2008 season to take a job in Texas, McCune pounced on the opportunity.

“Aron Potter was big influence on me and she got me intrigued with the game management and some of the strategies that are different from baseball,” said McCune. Potter was the head softball coach at CCC from 2002 through 2005.

“As time has passed and you observe and talk with people, I feel like I know the game,” said McCune. “My family and the school are supportive and I think it’s going to be a win-win situation for the school, for the program, the kids, and me.”

McCune has spent considerable time on the phone contacting current Raven softball players. “The response has been tremendous and they’re excited,” said McCune. “They hear how passionate I am in my voice and I think their gut instinct tells them this is going to be a good thing.”

McCune has plans to bring some baseball ideas to the softball diamond. “I would like to have a closer,” said McCune. “That’s one thing I’m going to bring over from baseball.”

“I want speed in the one and nine holes, but like baseball, it comes down to pitching and defense,” said McCune. “We’re going to work hard and try to have a good approach offensively, put pressure on the defense.”

While McCune is excited about the new challenge of coaching softball, informing the baseball team of his decision was difficult.

“The hardest thing has been my baseball boys and the family that we created,” said McCune. “I’m not turning my back on them; this is just something I wanted to do. I’ll peek over the fence at them and my door is always open to them. They don’t like it, but they understand and it will work out for everybody.”

In five years as head coach of the baseball team, the program posted their only two .500 or above seasons in school history. With 96 career wins at Coffeyville, McCune has the most wins of any baseball coach in school history.

However, the big smile on McCune’s face has more to do with the future than with past accomplishments.
“The shot of new excitement is like going to the prom or making your first hole-in-one,” said McCune. “It’s a nice shot in the arm.”

Ryan McCune Coaching Biography