Former T-Wolf Lenz takes over Lake City baseball program

By MARK NELKE 

Sports editor 

Jake Lenz was a star multisport athlete at Lake City High in the early years of the school. 

But the thought of someday returning to his alma mater as coach ... 

“That wasn’t on my bingo card,” Lenz said. 

But an old teammate, Sean Moglia, as well as Gil Pierce, who had just been named head coach, reached out and asked if Lenz wanted to join the Timberwolf baseball coaching staff. 

Lenz was the Lake City head junior varsity coach this past season, assisted by Moglia. 

“And a short time later, here I am,” said Lenz, who was recently named the Timberwolves’ head varsity baseball coach.  

Lenz, 44, replaces Pierce, who resigned after one season and a 5-16 record. 

“He’s got an infectious personality and coaching style,” Lake City athletic director Troy Anderson said. “Kids really buy into him, and they love what he’s going to bring to the table, as far as building a positive culture at Lake City High School. We’re super excited to have him leading us going forward.”

Lenz graduated in 2000. He was a two-year varsity baseball player, as well as a three-year starting point guard on the basketball team. 

He said Tracy Turrell, his American Legion baseball coach for two seasons and JV coach for one, was “a huge mentor in my life.” 

“The way that he could get the best out of each kid, in different ways,” Lenz said of Turrell. 

Lenz played two years under varsity coach Corey Bridges. 

"His IQ of the game was next level,” Lenz said. 

Lenz had coached some youth baseball years ago. But at the time he decided to join the coaching staff at Lake City, he was content being a “cheer dad” to his two daughters, both cheerleaders. 

Lenz works for the Coeur d'Alene School District, as the lead carpenter in the maintenance department.

“I want to make sure we can make this roll every year, and continue the success that Lake City has had,” Lenz said.