Leaving East Webster tough decision for Berryhill because of relationships

Lee Berryhill has been known to adapt and thrive.

Eight years ago, the coach left Eupora where he had won two baseball state championships and took on a new venture with the Eagles’ rival at East Webster. Berryhill became the head softball coach for the Lady Wolverines, which was a program that was becoming one of the best in the state having already won three softball state championships.

It was there where Berryhill sustained the success of recent years but also took it to the next level. He racked up wins and championships and he developed players for the next level. Now, after eight years at East Webster and over 25 in the public school system, he’s ready to move on to something else.

“It’s time,” Berryhill said of his decision to leave East Webster. “I appreciate everything everybody has done for me in the Webster County school system and the last eight years at East Webster are the best I’ve had. I’m just waiting on some opportunities now. I’ve got some options and I can pursue them.”

Don’t mistake Berryhill’s decision to leave as him hanging up the ball cap and giving up batting practice. He’s still got gas in the tank for more coaching down the road, but it will be in a different avenue. While he wasn’t ready to divulge any information on his next venture, he did believe there were plenty of opportunities awaiting him.

It didn’t make the decision to leave any less harder. Webster County has been Berryhill’s home and home to most of his coaching memories. He began coaching at Wheeler High School and, ironically, his final game as a coach at East Webster came at Wheeler as well.

“It’s hard because of the relationships and bonds that you build,” Berryhill said. “At East Webster, I built relationships that were hard to move away from. You feel like you were part of a family. It was really hard to leave.”

Though Berryhill often minimized his impact on the school and players that played for him, the reaction that he got on social media the last few days told a different story. Former players and coaches that coached against him spoke of his impact on them.

The coach said he just tried to be the best that he could for both of the Webster County schools. At the end of the day, he’d have no regrets for working as hard as he could.

“My goal as a coach was to work hard and give everything that I have,” Berryhill said. “I wanted to represent the school the best way that I could. The success came along with the players. All the wins came from them. I just was along for the ride.”

Now that he’s gone from Cumberland, Berryhill is confident that he’s left things in great shape.

The Lady Wolverines haven’t won a state championship in four years, but they’ve been in the hunt despite working with a youthful team over the last couple of seasons. The school will do a thorough search for the new coach and whoever it will be will have big shoes to fill.

“The program is in good shape and is at least as good or better than it was coming in,” Berryhill said. “They have an opportunity to be successful. It just depends on the players and the leadership they all have. It’s up to them.”