Cordell resigns from WMCS

Cordell resigns from WMCS

Head baseball coach onto “new chapter”

Sports Editor Veteran head coach Gary Cordell resigned his post as head baseball coach at West Memphis Christian on Thursday afternoon.

Cordell was at West Memphis Christian for two years, including a 9-7 season in 2016 that included a first round loss to Tri-County Christian in the North State tournament. It was the first postseason action for the Black Knights since 1996.

“I’m just ready to move on to a new chapter in my life,” Cordell said via telephone yesterday afternoon. “I had thought about this decision for three weeks or so, and that’s the decision I ended up making.”

Cordell inherited a West Memphis Christian team that went 2-13 in 2014, and while his first edition of Black Knight baseball started the 2015 season by losing its first 13 contests, they won five of their last six outings, creating some momentum entering the spring of 2016.

“I’m proud of how far we came in just two years,” said Cordell. “I honestly thought it may take us three to get this thing really rolling, but some of the kids bought in and we had some success. I know I can leave West Memphis Christian with my head held high because it’s a better program now than when I got there.”

West Memphis Christian boasted just one senior on the 2016 team, and all nine of its regular players are slated to return next fall.

Cordell admitted that roster situation made it an even tougher decision as to whether he should return or not.

“We’ll have a lot of talent these next couple of years,” he said. “I’m really proud of the guys that came out and played for us and worked hard.”

By Chuck Livingston