KEARNEY, Neb. — Kearney High is turning to a former UNK assistant coach to lead its softball program.

Activities Director Ryan Hogue announced Friday that Steve Stutzman will be the Bearcats’ new softball coach. Hogue says his top priority in a new coach was stability after going through the program’s fourth coaching change in six years.

“Coach Stutzman demonstrated that kind of excitement and motivation the very first time I visited with him about the head coaching position," Hogue said in a news release. "His credentials speak for themselves and I am confident he will work tirelessly to make the Bearcat softball program successful in a super competitive HAC conference and throughout the Class A ranks. Coach Stutzman has a history of getting the most out of his athletes and motivating his teams to compete at a high level.”

Stutzman has previously served as interim head coach for UNK softball. He was an assistant coach for the Lopers from 2017-2019, worked as an assistant baseball coach at UNK from 2009-2014 and also served as Director of Athletic Ticket Operations. Stutzman has also coached high school baseball at Wood River, Shelton/Gibbon and with the Kearney Five Points Legion team. He was a head coach for a pair college summer teams in the Mountain Collegiate Baseball League from 2011-2014.

“The community’s support of Kearney High Athletics has always been outstanding and I am beyond excited to experience this first hand," Stutzman said. "We have the opportunity to be great by taking care of the little things and paying attention to detail. If we can be great at enough of the small things, then the big things will happen. I can’t wait to start working with the student-athletes and get ready for the season.”

Stutzman has been a pharmaceutical sales representative for 3 years.  He and his wife Taylor, who is a former UNK Softball Player and Assistant Coach, have two children, Leo and Mae.

Stutzman is replacing Chelsey Jacobitz, who resigned this year.