Kyle Reese
The 46-year-old Reese, who played for Cochran at North Cobb High School before being selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 15th round of the 1983 baseball draft, joined Cochran’s staff this season after a 10-year stint as the head coach at St. Francis High School in Alpharetta.
Attempts to reach Reese for comment were unsuccessful, but he said in a release from Mount Paran that he was looking forward to his new position.
“I am real excited to be at Mount Paran Christian School,” Reese said. “It is a great combination of competitive, challenging baseball with one of the finest Christian schools in the state. I look forward to the opportunity of leading the baseball program at MPCS.”
Since news of Cochran’s contract not being renewed began to surface, Mount Paran athletic director Mitch Jordan has not returned repeated calls from the Marietta Daily Journal, but he said in the school-issued release that he anticipates a smooth transition from one coach to the other.
“We appreciate all that Harvey has done for our varsity baseball program over the last four years,” Jordan said. “Excited about the recent accomplishment of being named region champions and for the prospects of a deep run in the state playoffs this year, we are looking forward to finishing this season in a way that would highlight a successful career for coach Cochran while also serving as a good transition for coach Reese.”
After arriving at St. Francis in 2002, Reese led the Knights to the Class A state tournament three straight years from 2005-07, but his last four years at St. Francis weren’t as successful, compiling a 23-67 record.
Before coaching baseball on the high school level, Reese spent eight years as a minor league player in the Braves, St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals organizations. Seeing time predominantly as a catcher, Reese made it as high as the Double-A ranks as a player before serving time as a scout and coach in the Royals’ system.
Reese was seen as one of the leading candidates to replace Cochran after the veteran coach was told last week that the school “wanted to go in a different direction.” Cochran, who is in his fifth season at Mount Paran, had intended to retire after the 2013 season, with Reese the heir apparent to succeed his mentor.
Reese will inherit a talent-laden team next spring. Mount Paran, which is currently 23-2 and has clinched the Region 6A championship, only lists one senior — Tyler Crace — on its roster.
With Reese’s installation as Mount Paran’s future coach, that would bring the number of Cochran proteges-turned-coaches in Cobb County to four. Kennesaw Mountain’s George Hansen, his brother, Allatoona coach Keith Hansen, and Wheeler’s Jeff Milton all played for Cochran at North Cobb.
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Nonetheless, the school decided to not bring back Coach Cochran for a few simple reasons: he is not someone who is manipulated or controlled by the administration, he plays kids based upon the merit of their skill (not how much money their parents give), and he doesn't conform to the fake model of what a "Christian" looks like in their twisted minds.
He was hired to create a winning baseball program, and he has done that. In the process, he has toughened up the kids who play for him and prepared them for what real baseball, and the real world is like.
While Mt. Paran has every right to make any personnel decision they choose, they unfortunately bungled this in a way that was disrespectful to Coach Cochran, his staff and the players. It was poorly handled on all fronts and reflects a real lack of character and integrity on the part of David Tilley and Mitch Jordan.
In all honesty, while the decision has been made and the damage done, these two men should lose their jobs. But I suspect Mt. Paran is more interested in the "appearance" of supposed Christian behavior than men, like Cochran, who actually live their faith through a lifetime of integrity and service rather than empty, hollow words.
The next time you hear a Christian speech or message from Mr. Tilley, just remember how hollow and shallow it is.
It has been stated before but the real reason is a single parent behind this. School ( admin) has been shocked by support for Coach.
Of course the next shoe to drop we all know is the principals husband will be hired as assistant coach, no other reason he has been travelling all over to watch baseball.Please...
Like most things at school right now cost savings rule over what is best for students. Costs are important but not at expense of quality teachers and overall education.
How does this look to the kids that the Coach who brought over the new coach to prepare them for the future is fired because of one parents frustration of playing/pitching time.
Thanks MDJ for your work.
Intelligient individuals would realize that there is something in play that can not and should not be discussed.
Human Resources issues are personal in nature and any comment that is made, whether in private or public, opens the school and the administration to liability.
If you don;t like it, leave, its your decision.
readers the truth because the facts have to be disclosed.
Also, is it true that Coach Reese does not have a college degree? Under the circumstances I think we need to know that as well as what his full time role will be at MPCS.