LHS coach says pride is job one

Zibelli comes to Lincoln hoping to build foundation

Lincoln baseball coach tries to put team back on track

LINCOLN – Appointed the high school’s new varsity baseball head coach earlier this week, Vin Zibelli is looking to get a few points across.

“It’s about pride and respect. Those are the two things that drive a program,” Zibelli said in an interview held a few days after the School Committee unanimously voted for him to succeed Andy Hallam. “Victories and championships are all incredible opportunities, but they are the byproduct of hard work, pride, and commitment.”

Zibelli’s personality – extroverted and outgoing – should perfectly complement his coaching style, at least first glance.

A Smithfield native, Zibelli is no stranger to the interscholastic baseball scene. He piloted the Smithfield High program for seven seasons (2001-07). He endured just two losing seasons that came on the heels of four straight campaigns that saw the Sentinels win 10 or more league games. The crowning moment came in 2004 when Smithfield captured the Division II title. To date, that’s the only baseball championship to the school’s credit.

Once the Lincoln job became available in August, Zibelli immediately snapped to attention. Serving as a volunteer assistant at SHS a few years back rekindled his desire to once again become a high school head coach. The right opportunity had to come along, however, with the Lincoln program checking off all the necessary boxes on the coach’s todo list.

“Victories and championships are all incredible opportunities, but they are the byproduct of hard work, pride, and commitment.” – New Lincoln baseball coach Vin Zibelli

“I was excited by the opportunity to coach at Lincoln High School, which has a proud baseball tradition,” said Zibelli, a teacher and the history department chair at Smithfield High. “In my mind, Lincoln has always been one of the top programs in the state. Once I saw that the head coaching position was open, I knew that it was something that I wanted to get back into.”

The Vin Zibelli that felt it was finally time to return to the dugout is doing so after an impressive stint as a college and high school umpire. From working the R.I. Interscholastic League finals at McCoy Stadium, to working NCAA Division III regional contests, to serving as the crew chief with the Atlantic 10, NEC, and Ivy League, Zibelli arrived at an understanding. That day’s game is mightily important to the participants, thus it deserves your complete devotion and attention.

Such a mindset represents a slight deviation from that of a head coach, where looking ahead is largely taboo, yet sometimes it’s hard not get caught up with the road ahead as it relates to jockeying for playoff positioning.

In any event, Zibelli wholeheartedly believes that umpiring allowed him to see a different side of the game. Naturally, he’ll have to put away the mask and shin guards.

“I feel that I’m a better baseball person due to that valuable experience … being able to understand the game through a different set of eyes. Regardless of any job, it’s important to have multiple perspectives on the same situation,” said Zibelli. “It will allow me to help the Lincoln players understand the challenges of high school baseball.”

As an umpire, Zibelli worked several games involving the Lions.

“I saw their passion for the game and a desire to do things the right way. Just the way they represented Lincoln High School and the town made me want to be a part of something like that,” he said.

Ziibelli is looking forward to the day when he’s finally able to meet the players. Like a lot of new head coaches, he wishes the season could start tomorrow rather than six months from now.

“The kids deserve to see who’s leading their program and the person who the School Committee has put their faith in,” said Zibelli.

Besides assembling a coaching staff and getting to know the returnees and possible newcomers, Zibelli plans to use the months ahead to set up a network to connect with former LHS players.

“We are all one,” he said regarding the desire to link the past with the present.

File photo New Lincoln baseball coach Vin Zibelli, who used to coach Smithfield, said the two things that drive his programs are pride and respect. Zibelli, a social studies teacher at Smithfield, said he returned to coaching because Lincoln was an exciting...

File photo Former Smithfield coach Vin Zibelli said he decided to come back to coaching because Lincoln is the perfect situation. The Lions have a deep talent pool to compete in Division I.