From the Bench: BHS's Newest Varsity Coach to Bring Youthful Passion to Program Looking for Turnaround
By Jeff Toquinto on July 28, 2024 from Sports Blog
The Bridgeport High School softball program is about to get a youthful injection on the coaching front. And the injection comes with a passion for the sport.
Earlier this summer, the Harrison County Board of Education formally approved the new softball coach for the Indians. Adrianne McPhillips will be the new coach for the program.
Although she has established both teaching and coaching roots in the area, they are not yet deep. However, the 25-year-old’s roots go back to her own playing days where she excelled on the diamond.
We will talk more about her past playing days and getting into coaching shortly. First, a look into the present.
McPhillips is currently a teacher at Liberty High School teaching vocational agriculture. She is originally from Wooster, Ohio where she graduated in 2017 – which led to her present teaching gig.
“I went to Ohio State University and earned a bachelor's degree in agriscience education in 2021,” she said. “I wanted to start my master’s degree and went to West Virginia University for a year. After the first year I decided I was ready to start teaching.”
After leaving Morgantown, she found a home teaching in North Central West Virginia. She taught agriculture for a year at Lewis County High School. After that, she came under the same teaching umbrella at Liberty High School.
As she was spending her time getting her post-prep studies in order to establish a professional career, there were a few things always on her mind. Near the top of her thought process was her love for the game of softball.
“I played for about 10 years in Ohio, and it’s different. When I was in high school, we played year-round,” said McPhillips. “We had some success.”
The former center fielder, who also played shortstop, saw her team do quite well. They made it to the regionals in her senior year and the state’s final four as a junior. The squad was at the top of the league as champions during her prep career.
“I absolutely loved the game and when it was over I deeply missed being involved,” said McPhillips. “Last year, I finally decided to get involved. I enjoyed it so much it wasn’t an issue that I wasn’t getting paid.”
Last year, was McPhillips first venture into coaching. She served as a volunteer assistant for South Harrison’s program.
“It was nice to be back around the game. I was able to share the passion for the game with the next generation of players,” she said.
As much as she loved the game, McPhillips backed off of her first opportunity to coach once moving to West Virginia. During her year at Lewis County, the position was open, and she reluctantly passed on applying for it.
“I loved the game, but I knew I needed to get myself planted on the professional front. I stepped into it slowly last year as an assistant, and 
this year I feel I have the necessary balance in my life that I can take on the responsibility that comes with an additional role to perform,” said McPhillips.
this year I feel I have the necessary balance in my life that I can take on the responsibility that comes with an additional role to perform,” said McPhillips.
One of the things McPhillips has yet to do is meet her future squad. With it being a spring sport and softball usually competing in summer leagues that make summer practice not as productive as most sports, she will meet with the team later. She plans on meeting with those who look to be a member of the team once the weather turns cold.
“I’m hoping to set up a meeting after winter break to meet the girls at a get together. The hope is that is the start of team bonding, and hopefully continue that bonding before and during the season,” she said.
McPhillips said the most important thing for success, whether it is defined in the win and loss column or in the development of student-athletes, is by placing the emphasis on the players.
“As a coach, you have to remember it’s about the girls and creating the best experience they can have. It’s about them and it should always be about them,” said McPhillips. “That’s what I want to bring into this year. I not only want to make it fun, but I want everyone to gain life skills that help beyond the sport.”
Count BHS Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Tom Sears as one of the individuals who believes she is more than capable of delivering a positive experience.
“She is young, but during her interview she was impressive. I think everyone will be pleased with the tremendous amount of professionalism she’ll be bringing to the position,” said Sears. “I fully expect her to step in and be able to move forward in building the softball program into a contender.”
Hopefully, McPhillips’ youthful vigor will help a team that finished 5-18 a year ago. It is a program that has seen little in stability from long-term coaching going back for more than a decade – a rarity at BHS.
The players should know, however, they will not have Coach McPhillips for long. But that is not a terrible thing in this situation.
“I’m engaged and getting married in October,” she said. “I’ll have a new last name for coach.”
The hope is she will also bring new life to the BHS softball team. One thing is for certain, she is going to bring passion to the coaching box.
Editor's Note: Top photo is of Adrianne McPhillips in her fresh Bridgeport gear, while she is shown in her high school playing days in Ohio below. Photos courtesy of Adrianne McPhillips.
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