Zibelli in at Lincoln
Ex-Smithfield coach in charge of Lions
LINCOLN – Just what kind of head coach and person has been appointed to lead the Lincoln High baseball program? For the answer to that, we defer to one of Vin Zibelli's former charges.
Before he became the baseball head coach at Cumberland High, Andy Tuetken played for Zibelli at Smithfield High in the early 2000s.
It was during that period that the Sentinels climbed the top of the Division II landscape that culminated with a two-game sweep of West Warwick in the 2004 finals.
Zibelli was unanimously approved (6-0) as the next LHS coach at Monday's School Committee meeting. Reached not long after the vote was taken, Tuetken was extremely pleased to hear that his high-school coach is back in the interscholastic circuit.
“They're getting a coach who really cares. He's been a department head for a long time, so he understands what it's like to be in a high school setting,” Tuetken said. “He'll give these kids the baseball experience that they're looking for. He'll be there for them and work them hard. He knows the game, which is going to lead to success for Lincoln.”
Zibelli stepped down as Smithfield's head coach after the 2007 season, ending what was a seven-year run at his alma mater. He turned his attention to umpiring at the college level and eventually rose through the ranks to become a crew chief with the Atlantic 10, NEC, and Ivy League. He's a teacher and the department chair in history at Smithfield High.
Zibelli did return to the diamond with the Sentinels a few years back, serving in a volunteer capacity.
“Just being around that setting again, I think he started to get that itch again,” said Tuetken. “It was going to take the right spot because he's truly a Smithfield guy, but Lincoln was that right spot for him. He's looking at a good baseball town that's looking for a new direction. He's going to be a really good fit for that program.”
Zibelli was one of two finalists for the Lincoln job. The position became open in August after the previous head coach, Andy Hallam, was arrested and charged with embezzlement by the State Police.
At last month's School Committee meeting, the recommendation for a new head coach was rejected and new appointment guidelines for this particular coaching position were
established. Per the request of several School Committee members, Superintendent Georgia Fortunato would interview the remaining top candidates, and then school board members would have the chance to meet the prospects, which is what took place in executive session on Monday night.
Lincoln went 9-9 this past season and lost both games in the double-elimination Division I playoffs. Besides a new head coach, the program is also receiving a major upgrade to the playing surface at Chet Nichols Field. The School Committee earlier this month unanimously approved up to $50,000 for repairs.
“With the improvements coming to Chet Nichols Field and with the hiring of Vin Zibelli, it's an exciting time for Lincoln High School baseball,” said LHS athletic director Greg O'Connor. “I look forward to working with Vin in trying to bring a state championship back to Lincoln.”
“With the improvements coming to Chet Nichols Field and with the hiring of Vin Zibelli, it's an exciting time for Lincoln High School baseball.” – Lincoln AD Greg O’Connor