Earlier this month, Columbus High athletic director Chad Mathis said the school would look at internal candidates first to fill the head softball coaching position left open when Ron DiQuattro decided to vacate the post.

The Blue Devils did just that as principal Marvin Crumbs asked Mathis if he would take the role.

“Of course, I said yes,” said Mathis, who is also an assistant coach for the baseball and football teams. “I am the athletic director here but with no head coaching experience. …

“Softball being such a close fit to baseball, I thought it was a challenge I would be up to taking.”

DiQuattro left the softball job to spend more time with his family and concentrate on his teaching position. He left the Blue Devils after five seasons, which included four straight 20-win seasons, four state tournament appearances and the program’s lone state championship in 2009.

“Here at Columbus High, we won a state title two years ago and been in the elite 8, and that is where I want to take it again,” Mathis said.

Mathis has been an assistant coach at Columbus High since 2006. Before that, he was assistant baseball coach at Andrew College. He also coached at Pacelli and Berrien County.

He played baseball at Andrew College and Columbus State, graduating from CSU in 1999.

“There are few things I need to get some professional development on, but I know I can talk to coaches and go to clinics around the Southeast,” Mathis said. “I can figure this game out.”

Mathis said he is excited to get started in his first head coaching position.

“This is always something I have wanted to do, coming out of college,” Mathis said. “I never thought I would be a head coach in softball before baseball. But girls like discipline and leadership, and I think we are going to have a great time.

“The girls here are always very respectful and committed. They do a great job. They fell a little short the last two years, but I want to get them back to that elite level again.”

Kevin Price, 706-320-4493