For the first time in longer than he can even remember, John Glover is going to get a summer off.
The Douglas High School baseball coach resigned Thursday afternoon in a private meeting with his players in order to spend more time with his two children - Emma, 6, and Ty, 3.
"It's something I've been thinking about for the last year or so," said Glover. "It really came down to being able to spend time with my kids. That's what drove the decision. It didn't come quickly and a lot of thought went into it.
"I only got out to a couple of Little League games this year. I'm looking forward to being out there a bunch next year and just spending more time with my family in general."
Glover went straight from his playing career at Carson High and the University of Nevada to coaching. After two years split as an assisant between Carson and Douglas, he took the helm of the Tiger baseball program in 2003.
"I'm looking forward to having a summer off," he said with a laugh. "It'll be different. I'll miss it a lot.
"Ever since I can remember, baseball has been a part of my life. It's just time for a new chapter for me and for the kids."
Glover said he made his decision about a week ago, but wanted to see how the tournament played out before telling the team. Douglas lost to Reno and Damonte Ranch earlier week to end the season.
"I told them yesterday (Thursday), I think it came as a surprise," Glover said. "It was by far the hardest conversation I've ever had to have with them. There are a lot of great kids in there, and there have been a lot of great kids that I've been blessed to be able to coach during my time here."
Glover's teams qualified for the playoffs every year during his tenure, won three Sierra League titles, won the first Northern 4A title in 20 years last season and advanced at least to the regional semifinals four times. Douglas qualified for the playoffs all eight years during Glover's tenure.
His career record (186-93-2) was just 33 wins short of ranking at the top of the program's all-time list - a spot held by his father-in-law, Hal Wheeler (219-167-2).
Glover also ranks as the third-winningest coach in any sport in the school's history (Girls' basketball coach Werner Christen's record stands at 208-142).
Glover was named the Sierra League Coach of the Year three times (2009, 2007 and 2005). The 2009 squad won more games (31) than any other in the program's history.
His 2004 squad posted the longest win streak (18 games to start the season) in school history as well.
Douglas produced five Sierra League Player of the Year or Pitcher of the Year award winners during Glover's tenure and 22 players went on to play college ball. Four of those played at the Division I level and two advanced as far as the minor leagues.
Tiger Field also developed into one of the jewels of Northern Nevada high school baseball during Glover's tenure, with the help of assistant coach Rocky Walling. Upgrades to the scoreboard, outfield walls, backstop, press box, clubhouse, bullpens, permament bleacher seating and snack bar - among many other improvements - came during Glover's tenure.
The field has hosted the Northern 4A Regional Tournament twice (including this season with the championship series scheduled for Saturday at noon).
"It's one of those things where you just try to leave it (the field) better than you found it," Glover said. "You just hope the next guy comes in after you with the same mentality. The administration does such an excellent job here, I'm confident they'll pick the right guy to lead this program in the future."
Douglas High athletic director Jeff Evans said the school will begin its search for Glover's replacement in the coming weeks.
"John is as good a person as you'd ever want to meet," Evans said. "I love him to death and I wish him the best. I completely understand his reasoning, because you only get one shot with your kids.
"It'll be a tough spot to fill, but John is leaving the program in such good shape, so hopefully we will get some good candidates.
"It's a very enviable position when you look at the program as a whole and the field and the overall facility. You throw in that the team is in contention every year and I think we'll get some good calls on it."
Whoever gets the nod will inherit a team that went 15-16 this season, but played with a starting lineup largely dominated by juniors and sophomores. Douglas returns starters at six spots in the field, along with its two top starting pitchers and top reliever.
"It's a great group coming back," Glover said. "I'm confident they'll be successful next year. They have a great nucleus coming back."
