Daniel Hackett tabbed for Ringgold softball post

A name quite familiar with Ringgold athletics has been tabbed to take over the high school’s softball team.

Daniel Hackett, a baseball standout and 2003 RHS graduate, has been selected to lead the Lady Tigers. He will replace Shane Pendley, who was hired in May of 2014 and coached the team for the past three seasons.

“We’re excited,” Ringgold Athletic Director Robert Akins said. “Daniel is a lifetime Tiger who has been with our softball program for the last eight years as an assistant. He’s got a lot of family members who were great players (at Ringgold) over the years and, like the rest of the family, he also has great character.

“We’re excited for what he will bring to the table and I don’t think we could have a made a better hire than him.”

Hackett said he was excited to get the chance to be the head coach of a program he has come to love.

“Ever since my baseball playing days ended, I wanted to be a coach,” he explained. “I dabbled in coaching baseball, but I found my true calling with softball. I love it and I’m grateful for the opportunity. I hope I get to do this here for the next 20-30 years.”

Ringgold went 83-28 over the last three seasons, according to MaxPreps. com. They went 34-8 and finished as Class AAA state runner-up to Calhoun in 2014 and finished 28-6 in 2015 and placed third at the state tournament. This past fall, they went 21-14 and lost in three games to Pike County in the second round of the state tournament.

Ringgold’s lone fast pitch state title came in 2005 (Class AAAA).