Shawnee baseball coach Cassell steps down

SPRINGFIELD — Shawnee High School head baseball coach Rob Cassell has resigned.

Cassell informed Shawnee players during a meeting on Sunday night he will not return to coach the team next season. Cassell’s oldest son Nick is entering his freshman year at Tecumseh, and another son is in middle school in the district.

“I’ve probably put my baseball programs in front of my boys and my family, and now it’s time for me to put them in front of me,” Cassell said. “It’s time to be a dad.”

The past season was difficult for the program. The district suspended play for two weeks in April while the Clark County Sheriff's Office investigated harassment allegations from a team trip to Tennessee in March. A volunteer coach and three players were barred from team activities as a result of the investigation. The Clark County Prosecutor's Office has since said that the investigation found no evidence of criminal activity and no charges were filed.

RELATED: No criminal charges expected in Shawnee baseball investigation

Cassell coached Shawnee’s team the last three seasons and previously served as Springfield High School’s coach from 2008 to 2014. The Braves were above .500 each of the last three years, including last season’s 12-11 record.

“He was extremely positive with the kids and focused on carrying on and getting back to playing baseball,” Shawnee Athletic Director Steve Tincher said. “Even though we lost some games after that layoff, he was still positive. …Their ability to put aside what had taken place off the field and to come back and still have a successful season was really impressive.”

Shawnee baseball returns to the field Shawnee baseball coach Rob Cassell talks about 4-1 loss to Northwestern on Thursday, April 13.