Replacing both the baseball and softball coaches at Marshalltown High School proved to be a difficult endeavor for the Bobcats. At Tuesday’s School Board meeting, though, Activities Director Ryan Isgrig was able to confirm a coach for each sport.

Softball’s new head coach is former East Marshall assistant coach Jason Bowers. Having spent the past three seasons as an assistant to Mustangs head coach Jary Hoskey and helping the team to multiple postseason appearances and victories, Bowers was able to learn at a successful program.

Bowers said he hopes to bring success with him and take what he’s gained the past few years. He mentioned how much he can feel the Bobcats want to succeed in the sport.

“It feels awesome, I’m super excited about the opportunity,” Bowers said. “Taking that opportunity and learning from a good coach in Jary Hoskey, hopefully taking that [mentality] right across Highway 30 down the block and bringing some winning ways to Marshalltown.

“Doing the interview with the Marshalltown community and the panel they had there, I could almost feel that they yearned for a winning program.”

Marshalltown has been dealt some difficult seasons as of late in softball, finishing with a 2-32 record and going without a winning season since 2013 when the Bobcats went 19-18-2.

Part of the long winning drought has been due to the level of competition in the Central Iowa Metropolitan League. While there are still difficult opponents in the Iowa Alliance Conference — including state tournament host and multiple-time champion Fort Dodge — the schedule will likely be more palatable.

Isgrig said he feels the move to the new conference will be a big opportunity for the Bobcats.

“I’ve been saying this from the beginning. With the new conference, I think it will be a good opportunity for anyone with the amount of community support both programs have,” Isgrig said. “We have a lot of great kids out and they’re really good students.”

Bowers has been present at a couple of open gyms this month, introducing himself to players and parents in the process.

One thing he wanted to make sure the Bobcats feel is patience within the program.

“The talent’s there,” Bowers said. “Just my observation, I feel that a lot of kids put pressure on themselves. I’m a pretty relaxed guy, a pretty patient guy. Once I’m around these Marshalltown kids more and more, hopefully that feeling rubs off on them that it’s okay to make a mistake and it’s okay to do things wrong as long as we’re learning from it and moving on to the next play.”

Mann takes over on interim basis

The new man tasked with leading Marshalltown baseball is Allen Mann, a 2009 MHS graduate and the strength and conditioning coach at the high school. Mann is officially given the title of interim head coach, so there is the possibility of him getting the job for more than one season or the Bobcats bringing someone else in if the fit is right, but Isgrig said Mann has been given the keys for now.

A natural fit for the role with his history in the school and with the baseball program as a player and then as an assistant coach under Steve Hanson, Isgrig said that even on an interim basis Mann is a great selection for the team. He added that the familiarity with student-athletes from his role as a strength coach will hopefully help him connect with players.

“Allen has a great demeanor with the kids,” Isgrig said. “He has great baseball contacts around the state. Allen’s willing to step in this year, right now Allen’s the head baseball coach and we’re going to take it one day at a time. We really look forward to having him this summer and really need to get participation numbers back up and be competitive.

“We felt the best candidate for this year would be someone who knows what it takes to be successful here, and Allen certainly knows that as a player and as a coach.”

Mann was a member of Marshalltown’s state tournament teams in 2008 and 2009.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to coach a great group of kids, teaching the importance of hard work, intent, community pride, and accountability while playing a sport that I’ve always been passionate about.” Mann said. “I will work to the best of my abilities to help our Bobcat baseball players develop and have a chance to reach their fullest potential.”