By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
The wait is over.
The Dowagiac Board of Education Monday night finally named a replacement for varsity softball coach Randy Brooks, who resigned last June following the completion of his 16th season.
Former varsity assistant and junior varsity softball coach Mike Behnke was approved by a vote of the school board at it regular meeting Monday night held at Patrick Hamilton.
Behnke took over the junior varsity program last season when coach Nicky Hewitt resigned just before the start of the season for family reasons.
Behnke stepped in and filled the void for the Chieftains, leading Dowagiac to a 28-3 season.
Prior to that he spent six seasons as Brooks' assistant coach.
Behnke was selected from a group of three candidates.
New Dowagiac athletic director Greg Younger, a teammate of Behnke's throughout high school, recommended him for the position.
Behnke said he is well aware of the expectations at Dowagiac for its softball program and that Brooks left it in good shape.
While Behnke plans to do things somewhat differently than Brooks, he noted that the goals remain the same.
Brooks compiled a 412-159 record in 16 seasons at Dowagiac.
That tradition is something Behnke hopes to continue.
Younger said that among Behnke's attributes, his loyalty to the program for the past seven years was a plus.
Behnke said that he will hold a meeting with all perspective players as quickly as possible. He also noted he will begin working with pitchers and catchers as soon as he can set up a schedule.