Travis Hale New Softball Coach At Soddy-Daisy

Travis Hale, who spent one year under Wes Skiles being groomed for the job, has been named the new softball coach at Soddy-Daisy High School.

Hale, who previously was an assistant coach at Hixson and head coach at Loftis Middle School, was groomed for the job last season working under coach Wes Skiles, who has stepped down after four seasons.

“I focused on paying attention to what coach Skiles was doing,” Hale said Thursday afternoon. “He does a lot of things differently during drills at practice and I really wanted to know how to run our tournament. In our games last season, I learned to stay calm and focused on the process.

“Wes and I talked some about it being his last season, so I pretty much knew what his intentions were. I’ve got a lot of excitement about getting the job and I’m looking forward to working with (principal) Steve Henry and (athletic director) Jared Hensley.”

Hale already has named one assistant coach, Drew Lyness, who also is the Lady Trojans’ head basketball coach. Hale plans to name one more coach to his staff in the coming weeks.

A May 9 story on the District 5-3A tournament posted on Chattanoogan.com noted that Skiles had told several league coaches that 2016 would likely be his last season with the Lady Trojans. 

“We’re appreciative for everything Wes did for the Soddy-Daisy softball program,” Hensley said. “Travis brings new life to the program with some new ideas and that’s exciting.

“The entire softball program is thrilled to have him on board and fill this role.”

Hale was an assistant for five years under coach Jamie Putnam at Hixson and served one year as head coach at Loftis Middle before joining Skiles’ staff.

Hale said that one year with the Lady Trojans will make the transition go much smoother.

“These girls grew on me last year, it was a great environment and that will be a big advantage for me next year,” Hale said. “This is a great group of student-athletes. Our fan base is phenomenal and our stands were full no matter where we played. Soddy-Daisy is a great place to be.”

Hale plans to meet with his players in a couple of weeks following the TSSAA-mandate “dead period.”

“I’m looking forward to that,” he said.

Lyness coached softball for one year before arriving at Soddy-Daisy, so he’s no stranger to the sport. Another factor in his coming onboard with Hale is that several softball players also play basketball.

“Travis and I get along very well,” Lyness said. “Back during the (softball) season, Travis talked to me about helping him out. I told him I’d love to do it if he wanted me. And it also gives me a chance to build on the relationship I have with the girls who play basketball in a different atmosphere.”

The Lady Trojans went 28-12 this past season, losing to Ooltewah in the district and Region 3-3A tournament championship games and Siegel in the sectional.

That finished Skiles’ two-decade run as a coach that included stops at Loftis Middle and Hixson High School before succeeding Clifford Kirk at Soddy-Daisy. Skiles was Kirk’s assistant from 2007 to 2012.

Soddy-Daisy has eight state championships (all under Kirk) with the last coming in 2012. The Lady Trojans also finished second three times.

The Lady Trojans won at least 20 games in each of Skiles’ four seasons.

(Contact Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and follow on Twitter @larryfleming44)