Chris Wyrick believes in challenging players to be the best they can be.
Friday morning, after he was announced as the new softball coach at Helias, the Lady Crusaders got their first challenge as he met with the team. They were excited to have him take over as coach. And then
"They found out we're going to start weightlifting on Nov. 26 at 6 in the morning," Wyrick said Saturday. "Their eyes got as big as silver dollars when I said it."
There's a method to the madness.
"I want to see who will accept that challenge and be ready to go," Wyrick said.
Wyrick replaces Dan Campbell, who stepped down last week after 20 years as head coach at Helias.
"He was very supportive of me accepting the job," Wyrick said. "He wanted me to go for it because I know the girls and the system. He gave me his blessing and that's what I wanted to hear.
"This is still his team, I will just be stepping into his place."
Wyrick was an obvious choice to replace Campbell.
"We are thrilled to have coach Wyrick heading up our softball program," Helias athletic director Tom Guinn said in a press release. "He brings a considerable amount of experience, knowledge, and proven success with him.
"His passion and commitment toward our school, in addition to his desire to get the best out of our athletes, will undoubtedly serve us well next fall."
Wyrick had spent 14 years as an assistant under Campbell before joining the Helias football staff this season as Chris Hentges returned as head coach.
"I wanted to help with the transition," Wyrick said.
There won't be any major changes coming to the softball program next fall, just a few tweaks here and there.
"There will be some little adjustments because teams have adjusted to them," Wyrick said.
The Lady Crusaders will return 10 players next season.
"Some of them can still get better, some of them can get a lot better," Wyrick said. "Hopefully we can find a way to get that done.
"It won't be easy, but if they're willing to buy-in, I think it can pay off."
Wyrick, who got to a couple of softball games this season when his football duties allowed it, is the longtime head baseball coach at Helias and was inducted into the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame earlier this year.
Kelly Fick will be joining the softball staff as an assistant. Megan Smith is staying as JV coach, with Barry Delaney remaining as pitching coach.
"Hopefully we can be a good team of coaches and help these girls have another successful season," Wyrick, who is also a girls basketball assistant coach, said.
The Lady Crusaders finished the 2018 season with a 19-6 record, losing to eventual state champion Mexico in the Class 3 District 8 championship game.