Teasley to Step Down in May

March 21, 2007

WEATHERFORD, Okla – Veteran baseball coach Charles Teasley has announced that he will retire from his position at Southwestern Oklahoma State University at the end of the 2007 season in May. Teasley, 57, has won more than 750 games in a 34-year career that includes both high school and college tenures.

"I have been fortunate to work at Southwestern and have always been proud to be considered a Bulldog. But after much deliberation, I feel it is time to move aside and allow someone else to take the program in a new direction,” Teasley said “I am confident that the Southwestern baseball program will continue its proud tradition and wish it all the best."

 Now in his eighth year at SWOSU, Teasley’s Bulldogs have gotten off to an uncharacteristic 4-20 start and have been unlucky in several close games. The coach said that his resignation was not made on the basis of this year’s win-loss record, but one that he had given considerable thought in the last few months. The increased travel involved in playing a full Lone Star Conference schedule and the fierce recruiting battles waged for instate players were beginning to grow on him.

“I’ve always asked my players to give 110% on the field,” Teasley said. “If I can’t do the same with my job, then it’s time to let someone else try. This program means too much to me for it to be any other way.”

Teasley is 162-190 at SWOSU since arriving in 2000. After a 20-24 record in his initial year, the Bulldogs went on to win 50% or more of their games four consecutive seasons. Teasley’s best team was in 2002 when they qualified for their first-ever Lone Star Conference tournament thanks to a second-place North Division finish and a 29-18 overall record.

Athletic Director Cecil Perkins said Teasley’s resignation was not expected and was sorry to lose him.

“Charlie is first class. He has done a fine job as the baseball coach and always had student-athletes that represented the university in a positive way,” Perkins said. “He was always among the first to volunteer with any project we did as a department. As a former college baseball coach, I can attest to the time and energy involved in coaching and recruiting for a team year-after-year. We truly wish him the best."

A member of the Oklahoma Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Teasley spent 26 years at the high school level, compiling a phenomenal 605-280 (.684 winning percentage) record. He won state titles with Weatherford in 1995 and 1998 and also at Yukon High School in 1982.   

Perkins said a selection committee will be formed to review applicants for Teasley’s replacement.