OTHELLO — The Othello High School softball team is looking for a new head coach for the 2025-26 season. The new athletic director, Carlos Gonzalez, will be looking into candidates in the coming weeks.

“I know that (former head coach) Rudy Ochoa built an amazing program here that lasted more than 20 years,” said Gonzalez. “Those are very big shoes to fill and when you think of the legacy that he left behind, but also the players that have come through the program that could help potentially continue to carry our tradition of being a competitive team in our state, we’re going to explore every option to find and encourage the most qualified people to apply to this position.”

Candidates for the position are open to include other coaches and administration within the school district, alongside people in the community who might be qualified to coach. He said that the district is going to take as much time as necessary to fill the position.

“Othello softball, it’s a pretty serious tradition within our community and we have amazing players here, we have amazing programs,” said Gonzalez. “I think it’s only fair that we invest the time that we should, to do this as thoroughly as possible.”

Gonzalez said he is looking for a coach who is familiar with the sport and has prior coaching and player experience. The candidate should also have a strong connection to the Othello community to make the coach more invested in the program.

There is still time for those interested in the softball position to apply. Gonzalez said he put his focus first on filling any open positions in the fall and is now looking to fill any positions for the winter sports.

Some of the other positions open include a C-team girls basketball coach and an assistant coach position for boys wrestling. Gonzalez said once these positions are filled, he will begin sorting through candidates to fill the position for softball.

“I think that because of the importance of this position and the fact that we do have time, I think it’s okay to be patient and make sure we approach it in the best way possible,” he said.

Gonzalez, who was recently hired as the new athletic director, said one of his goals for the upcoming season is to continue Othello’s tradition of having strong athletics programs.

“Othello is a community of a successful football program, a competitive volleyball program and when it comes to winter sports, we are a traditional powerhouse when it comes to girls and boys wrestling and we’re building our basketball program,” said Gonzalez. “When it comes to spring, we have a strong position in baseball and especially in softball and we’re going to do everything we can to approach it in the best way possible to keep that tradition alive and well.”

    Huskies softball player Alexa Prochet pitching during a home game last season. Athletic director Carlos Gonzalez said it was important to take time in selecting the correct candidate to fill the head coach position for the softball team.
  

    Kiana Salazar makes a swing at the ball during a game from last season. Alongside the head coach for softball, Othello is also looking to fill positions for a coach for C-team girls basketball and an assistant coach for boys wrestling.