Carter resigns as Heritage softball coach

Three months following the death of his beloved daughter Katie Beth, Jason Carter said he has peace about his decision to walk away from coaching.

However, he said he wanted his players, parents, fans and the community that have support his family through one of the most difficult times in his family’s lives to know choosing to resign his position as Heritage softball coach was a decision he didn’t take lightly.

Nevertheless, the veteran coach came to an understanding of what God wanted for him after “lots of prayer” and counsel.

”It wasn’t an easy decision,” he said. “I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to coach one of the best programs in our school, and one of the best softball programs in the state...for me, it was about my personal life.”

Carter inherited the program when the Generals’ first coach Steve Chattin of ProStar Fastpitch resigned in 2015 after producing 198 wins and four region championships in seven years. He leaves the program with a record of 54-20 and one region championship with its best year being his first season that included a third place finish in the state tournament.

Heritage principal Ronnie Bradford said he was grateful for Carter’s commitment to the program, and efforts to continue their success in their family’s time of tragedy.

He also said he understood what was best for his players.

“I think his perspective is different on everything now,” Bradford said. “I think going through what his family went through, he didn’t want to make any rash decisions because of the grieving, and I told him we would wait on him to decide.”

Bradford said the process to hire someone else would begin by opening up for applications.

Carter said he wished nothing but the best for the Generals, and said the hardest part was telling his team, who found out on Friday.

“For me, it was about my personal life, and some of the things that are going on in our world that I want to be available for as a husband and father.”

Carter said his team has been like family to his wife Amy and two children, Jacob and Kimi, couldn’t thank them enough for their support, prayers and love.

“This had a lot less to do with softball and more to do with the girls,” he said. “I get the opportunity to be a positive male in their life. I don’t ever want them to feel like I’m letting them down, and I think they understand.”