Resigns as Heritage softball coach
RINGGOLD, Ga. — Steven Chattin, the architect of one of northwest Georgia’s top prep softball programs, resigned his coaching position Friday at Heritage High School.
Chattin, who started the fastpitch program, won 198 games and four region championships and took six of his teams to the Elite Eight in Columbus. He also had 17 players earn college athletic scholarship commitments, had nine all-state players and 48 Academic All-Americans and three times had his team recognized for a top-10 national finish academically.
The veteran coach said the decision was prompted by repeatedly having to defend his approach to running the program and the commitment the athletes have to make.
“Over the seven years I’ve been here there’s been a couple of disagreements over how I run the program, and there was another one this week,” Chattin said. “I think we run a quality program and I don’t want to change our approach. It got to the point where I had to do something.”
Heritage principal Ronnie Bradford accepted the coach’s resignation letter, though rather reluctantly.
“It caught us by surprise,” he said. “I just think the world of Steve. I’ve been a big fan of his since we opened the school. He’s a heck of a softball coach and he knows more about it than anyone I know. He’s built this program into one of the best in a short time.”
Bradford insisted there was no controversy surrounding Chattin’s decision.
“No, there are no secrets with Steve,” Bradford said. “Everybody knows what’s going on all he time. He’s about as transparent as he can get. Steve can be polarizing to some folks, but that’s just his personality.”
Bradford said assistant coaches Alan Broom and Jason Carter will oversee the program until a new head coach can be hired. Chattin will remain at the school as a teacher and said he has no plans to step away from softball.
“I’ll do some travel ball in the summer still, and there are several girls on our team that want to continue that with me,” he said. “I’ll probably do some private lessons. I’ll definitely still be involved in the sport.”
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress. com or at 423-757-6296.