Owensboro High School has named Jake Fiorella — a 2004 Red Devil graduate — as the next baseball head coach. Fiorella has more than a decade of coaching experience in Kentucky and has spent the last four seasons at the helm of Louisville Male.
Fiorella said he is excited for the opportunity and is eager to add to a tradition of success at OHS. He said he’s going to challenge the team, because that’s what it takes to build a strong foundation.
“The players, I’m gonna push you hard. It’s gonna be tough but you’re gonna be loved, and that’s important,” Fiorella said. “That’s what it takes to build a program. I have every confidence that this program is going to get to the heights that it was … state championships and regional championships, we’ll be competing for those for years to come. I’m really excited about that.”
He said success wouldn’t be measured by wins and losses, but if they instill the right work ethic and attitude then victories would follow.
“The most important thing for us is the way that we play, the way that we conduct ourselves, the way that we prepare,” Fiorella said. “If we focus on those things and caring about one another, the wins are going to take care of themselves, and I truly believe that. If we can establish a strong culture of work and care for one another, and have integrity and character, we’re going to win, it doesn’t matter who we have. It doesn’t matter if they’re 8th-graders or they’re seniors, I feel very confident that we can do that.”
Fiorella takes over for Logan Johnson, who resigned after the season so he could spend more time with family and focus on his administrative role within the school district.
Fiorella was so passionate about wanting the position, his family ended their vacation early so he could come in for the interview. Athletic Director Todd Harper said the hiring committee was trying to work around vacations, but Fiorella was insistent.
Harper said Fiorella initially was going to fly up from Florida one day and go back the next after the interview, but the flight got cancelled. So, Fiorella packed up and drove overnight to Owensboro.
Harper said that didn’t land Fiorella the job, but it was a great thing to see.
“I appreciate our coach for the dedication that he was showing before he even was offered the job, just to be able to apply,” Harper said. “I think that speaks volumes for how much he wants to be part of this community, how much he wants to be back here to be a Red Devil.”
Harper said he was impressed with what Louisville Males’ athletic director had to say about Fiorella.
“He said that Jake is as good of coaches he has ever had,” Harper said. “He went on to say in his opinion Jake is the best baseball coach in the state. I think that he was sincere when he was saying those things.”
Prior to Male, Fiorella was the head coach at Louisville Wagner for 5 years. He also previously spent time as an assistant coach at Louisville Manual (5 years), Louisville Ballard (1), and Apollo (1).
Fiorella said he and his wife — who now have a 3-month-old baby — were really interested in getting back to Owensboro.
“Raising our family here in this city was really important to us, and it all just kind of fell into place,” he said. “I was looking for teaching jobs here. I applied for a couple and then the coaching job came open, and it just seemed like the perfect storm for us to go all in for this great opportunity. That’s what we did. We’re still trying to piece it together but we’re excited for sure.”
Fiorella said he knows there’s a lot of growth to happen within the program, but he feels like they have the right people in place and a good plan to get started.
“There’s a lot of work to do, but we’re excited about that work and we’re excited about that process starting,” he said. “I hope to get that going as soon as our feet hit the ground here in Owensboro.”
Fiorella said he’d have to adjust his coaching style to the team, but he knows he’ll keep his high level of commitment to building something great.
“I’m going to be very energetic. I’m gonna have a lot of passion for the kids, for the games for the school and the community,” he said. “Those things are important to me. And that’s what’s gonna lead to more success on the field.”
