Hoel returns to Hornets baseball

Updated: June 28, 2011 6:04PM

Paul Hoel appears even more prepared for his second stint as Hinsdale South baseball coach.

Hoel previously coached the Hornets from 1995-2005, but resigned to spend more time with his young children, who were beginning athletic careers of their own in softball and baseball.

Hoel has missed the last six seasons of high school baseball, but accepted an offer to return as Hinsdale South coach earlier this month. He was originally named an interim coach when Kraig Conyer resigned in May, but Hoel accepted the full-time position at the beginning of the summer league season.

“I was coaching travel (teams) with my kids,” Hoel said. “When Kraig came out, I thought this would be a good opportunity to get my dream job twice. This is perfect timing for me.”

Hoel, 46, was the head coach for the Elmhurst Stars travel baseball team from 2008-11 and coached a youth baseball team for three years before that.

The Elmhurst resident was the head coach for York’s baseball program in 1994 before coming to Hinsdale South and was an assistant coach for York when the Dukes own the state championship in 1993.

Before taking over as coach, Hoel prepared a three-page program plan with such goals as “Continue Involvement in Youth Programs” and “Develop Players over the Summer Program.”

Hoel’s mission statement: “Our mission is to compete at the highest level while exhibiting discipline, teamwork, sportsmanshhp, an unparalleled work ethic and respect for the game. We will display integrity, character and leadershiip qualitites on the field, in the classrooom and in the community. Our relentless pursuit of our goals will foster our growing legacy and honor our winning tradition.”

Hoel is the physical education department chair at Hinsdale South. He remained involved in high school baseball as the conference’s resource athletic director for baseball, which meant Hoel was responsible for the conference game schedule, coaches’ meetings and all-conference selections.

Once he accepted the baseball coaching position, Hoel had to resign from his West Suburban Conference position. He will remain at Hinsdale South as the sophomore boys golf coach.

Through three summer league games, Hoel has already discovered that the Hornets must add pitching depth for next season. Starting catcher Emmanuel Morris, one of the team’s top seniors for 2012, was recently asked to consider pitching by Hoel.

“It will be more of an opportunity to show I could possibly play at the next level,” Morris said. “Coach said, ‘They need me.’”

Hoel has three coaches returning from Conyer’s staff and has at least one opening to fill likely in the fall.

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