Donnie Coxwell assumed the position as head coach for the Bainbridge Bearcats baseball team earlier this month, and he’s excited about the opportunity to do what he loves with a program like Bainbridge’s.

For almost 17 years, Coxwell has wanted to coach the Bearcats.

“This is the job I wanted,” he said. “From the first day I got here in 2002, I said I would love to be here. I really don’t know why I like it so much. It just feels like home to me.”

Coxwell began coaching in 1994 in Marianna, Florida, before moving to Liberty County, his hometown, for 9 years. He served as an assistant coach and later as head coach there. After being introduced to former Bainbridge coach and current co-athletic director Scott Miller, Coxwell moved up to Bainbridge. He returned to coach Liberty County again later, and returned again to coach the Bearcats’ pitching rotation two years ago.

Coxwell is thrilled with the talent on the team.

“We have a great nucleus coming back,” said Coxwell. “I think they want to do more than they’ve done. We have a great pitching staff coming back. Those pitchers did everything I asked them to. I think they like being coached. They accept it and know what it is.”

From what Coxwell can tell, the players and staff want to push themselves harder than ever. With many players on the team also playing football, he hopes the buy-in mentality Bainbridge took to win the 2018 Class 5A State Championship will translate to the baseball diamond as well.

He also has plans for the Bearcats to push themselves in the weight room as a team, too.

Follow The Post-Searchlight for future details on Bearcat baseball events and opportunities coming this fall and next spring.