(Atlantic) A central Minnesota native who spent a few years working in the gold mines of Alaska before becoming a coach in Atlantic is on this week’s Why I Coach podcast. Trojan softball coach Terry Hinzmann sat down with KSOM/KS95.7 Sports to tell us more about his career.
Hinzmann’s roles have ranged from head baseball coach in the late 80’s and early 90’s to head softball coach for the last dozen years. Sprinkled in are stints in track, boys and girls basketball, and football from the junior high to JV levels. Before taking the head softball job, he thought his coaching days were in the rear view mirror.
“I was done, I was all through with all of my coaching 12 years ago. My son had just graduated, my daughter said she was done with softball, I had visions of going fishing and going back to Minnesota in the boat, and not having any responsibilities in the summer.”
Hinzmann recalls the Activities Director Paul Croghan was persistent. “I tried my best to get out of it, but the funny story is after I left him after about an hour of him twisting my arm. I told him I’d go home and talk to my wife, think it over, and give him an answer in the morning.” His answer might have been decided for him.
Hinzmann says after talking it over with his wife about what a big time commitment it would be from the high school level on down to the youth program he decided to accept. He planned on telling Mr. Croghan of his decision the next day, but, “Strange thing…I was driving to school when I hear Tom Robinson come on the radio and say Terry Hinzmann had accepted the head softball job. I though ‘Wait a minute.’ I hadn’t even told Mr. Croghan yet, but I guess he knew better than I did that it was going to be a good fit. That was 12 years ago and here I still am enjoying every minute of it.”
Hinzmann admits he’s learned a lot about coaching over the years. Later in his career he’s taken an entirely different approach and it has paid off. “I started teaching and coaching more not just the game of softball, but more the game of life. How to handle tough situations, how to be a confident person, how to conduct yourself, and how to be successful. Not so much on the field, but off the field as well and use softball as a vehicle to coach them those things. Low and behold we start winning games, next thing you know we’re at state.” Hinzmann adds, “Don’t get me wrong it’s competitive and we are going to try and go out and win every game that we play, but the bigger picture is we are going to try and win these girls over and make them responsible and respectable and most importantly confident and successful adults.”
Hinzmann has glowing praise for the rest of his softball staff which includes Derek Handel and Molly O’Hara. Atlantic has gone 148-52 over the last five years with state tournament appearances in 2016 and 2018.
Previous Coaches
Eric Maassen, (AHST grad) Sheldon
Jerome Hoegh, Atlantic grad (West Sioux)
Gaylord Schelling, Atlantic and Tri-Center
Eric Stein (Harlan grad) Iowa Central
