Following a coach that led the Jefferson City City Jays to consecutive top-two finishes in the state and won a national coach of the year award isn't easy. Kyle Lasley isn't looking for easy.
"I'm very competitive, I like to be challenged," Lasley said Wednesday, when he was announced as the head coach for the Jefferson City Jays baseball team. "I feel like this is going to be a challenge, especially with the new school and getting ready to split. I'm up for the challenge. It's something that I've thought about for a long time when I first started coaching. I'm excited to get the 2019 season going."
Lasley is taking over for Brian Ash, who took the head coaching job at Southern Boone after nine seasons with the Jays. Lasley joined Ash's staff in 2010 as the head coach for the freshman team.
"It was definitely shocking to us," Lasley said of Ash leaving. "Just with him being here so long it's hard to believe he's not going to be here anymore. But it was the right move for him and his family."
And it opened the door for Lasley, who's been the junior varsity head coach since 2013. After deciding to leave Jefferson City for Ashland, Ash said he thought Lasley would do a "fantastic job" and wanted him to get the promotion.
"There is no greater compliment than that," Jefferson City Public Schools Athletic Director Ehren Earleywine said in a press release. "Kyle also has a collegiate playing background and has worked with almost every aspect of the game as an assistant coach. It's his time to lead."
After graduating from Rock Bridge in 2006, Lasley played for the Lincoln Blue Tigers. When Lasley first met Ash in 2010, he said they agreed on many aspects of the game.
"It was amazing how much him and I had some of the same similarities and just philosophies whether it be offensively, defensively, pitching and even outside of baseball," Lasley said.
That remained the case the past eight years. With being in the program for all but one of Ash's nine seasons and sharing many of the same views when it comes to coaching, Lasley said he may only bring minor changes to the team.
"Every coach is going to come in with a different philosophy," he said. "I said we have a lot of the same philosophies, but there are some things that I will come in and do differently in practice possibly. One thing Brian did is he gave a lot of responsibility to us coaches in practice. Every day after practice we sat down and we planned for the next day of practice. Being able to have that type of experience and getting to do my own thing with the outfielders, it's going to be a lot easier transition."
One request Lasley does have is for the Jays to have their own indoor facility.
"It's something that's needed to be done for a few years," he said.
Lasley is in the process of completing his staff. He's searching for a pitching coach and a freshman coach. J.R. Simmons will remain the top assistant and Brett Skinner will take over the head JV position after working with the freshman team last season.
"The work he puts in is just unbelievable from the spring season and throughout the summer," Lasley said of Skinner. "Having him up with us is going to be a huge help."
Assistants Steve Lochhead and Damon Wren will both be assistants under Ash at Southern Boone. Wren is also the head girls basketball coach for the Lady Eagles.
"It will be hard to replace him," Lasley said of Lochhead.
Lasley will also assume Ash's duties as an assistant softball coach this fall. He last coached softball in 2014, when Jefferson City placed third in Class 4.
When springtime arrives, Lasley will hope his similar philosophies as Ash will translate in a similar on-field performance for the Jays.
"He raised such a high standard for this program and it's my job to keep that standard high and go from there."