Dorner steps down as St. Henry coach

When John Dorner took the head baseball coaching position at St. Henry in 1990, he had no thought on how long he would stay at the school.

Thirty years later, Dorner formally stepped down as head coach at Monday's board of education meeting.

Dorner, who retired from his teaching position at St. Henry two years ago, felt the time was right.

"I kind of figured this year would be it," said Dorner via telephone. "Then the coronavirus hit (leading to the cancelation of the spring sports season) and I had to make a decision if I wanted to come back. I still love the game of baseball and still love coaching. I just think it's the right time.

"When I took the job, I was around 25. When the position came open, I thought 'I'll go over there and see what I can do.' I had not thought about how long I would be there. It was just a good position at the time."

Dorner credits wife Brenda, daughter Nora and son Mitchell - who served as a batboy in his younger years and later played for his dad - for being there through his tenure as coach.

"Brenda's put up with coaching multiple sports, officiating and 30-plus years of baseball. We figured we could enjoy time together," said Dorner, who also coached golf and worked as a basketball official. "I've been incredibly lucky to have a family that allows me to do it and stood behind me and supported me. They've been a part in what has brought success to my coaching.

"We came here in 2000 (Dorner had taught at Celina while serving as St. Henry coach before taking a teaching job at St. Henry) and became part of the community."

Through the 1990s, Dorner helped build the Redskins into a contending program on the level with perennial MAC powers Coldwater and Parkway. The Redskins won back-to-back Division IV state titles in 1999 and 2000 and captured a Division III state title in 2003.

Dorner guided St. Henry to a 544-253 record with eight Midwest Athletic Conference titles. Dorner was elected into the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association's Hall of Fame in 2014. In addition to his work in spring baseball, Dorner has been part of the ACME Baseball Congress Board of Directors and was named general manager of the Grand Lake Mariners in 2019.

After having just enough players in the program for a varsity team in his first season, Dorner helped build the program to where separate junior varsity and freshmen teams allowed more players to suit up.

"First year we had 15. Ten years later we had 50 wanting to play," said Dorner. "The interest and dedication has been there with the players. Those are the things (the connection with the players) that I will miss the most."

Several of Dorner's former players have returned to serve as assistant coaches.

"I've been blessed with the coaches I've worked with over the years, many for double-digit seasons," said Dorner. "That's what made our success. … They understood the system.

"I'm not sure who will come in (to apply), but (of) the coaches I have on my staff, everyone could do it and I hope one gets the opportunity to take over and take St. Henry into the future and achieve more."

While Dorner is stepping away now, he has not ruled out returning to coach on some level.

"Who knows? I don't think I'm done coaching baseball yet," said Dorner. "But right now, I think it was just the right time."