Burlington Central tabs Molik to run softball program
Coaches take chances on athletes all the time based on potential.
Burlington Central athletic director Steve Diversey did that on Wednesday when he hired Kyle Molik to take over the Rockets' softball program.
And even though Molik hasn't coached softball, he has some intangibles Diversey believes are important for the future of the program.
“I'm excited about the energy he'll bring to Central softball and the enthusiasm he has to rebuild our lower levels,” Diversey said. “He has a passion to succeed and I think he'll be a good fit for Central softball. The more I talk to Kyle the more I'm excited about his enthusiasm. If you have a vision it helps and he has a vision.”
Molik, a 2004 Elgin High graduate who played football, basketball and baseball for the Maroons, will become the program's third coach since 2010. He replaces Hall of Fame coach Wade Maisto, who stepped down after two years of his second stint running the program.
“Central's become a source of pride for me,” said Molik, who is in his fourth year at the school after graduating from NIU in 2010. “It's really made an impression on me. There's been a legacy here and we want the kids to continue the Central pride. This entire school district has a sense of pride in its athletics and we want that to continue with the softball program.”
The program Molik is taking over has been the model of consistency since the middle 1980s when Maisto took the Rockets to the Class A Elite Eight during his 300-plus win career. It continued under Scot Sutherland, culminating in a third-place finish in Class 3A in 2009. Over the last four years since Sutherland's departure, Central has gone 69-36, including 50-14 the past two years under Maisto.
Overall, BC has won 17 regional titles and three sectionals.
But lower level numbers have been down and that was a focus to Diversey in the hiring process.
“I think I can provide some of the things they're looking for,” Molik said. “I'm not looking for other jobs; I'm going to be here. We didn't have a freshman team last year and one thing I want to do is rebuild the lower levels.”
Molik is entering his fourth year as the head sophomore girls basketball coach for the Rockets, having gained state tournament coaching experience last year when Central made it to Redbird Arena for the first time. He teaches social studies and has had many of Central's softball players in his classes.
Molik, who has already made plans to attend one top-notch coaches clinic in Rosemont in December, said the first thing on his agenda is to build a coaching staff. He wants to surround himself with coaches who have softball experience.
“I'd like to have a couple coaches who have played in college,” he said. “I want to learn and we want a staff that has a softball background.
I played baseball and I've coached baseball and a lot of things are transferable. I know hitting's a little different. I know I'll be able to learn and I'm in the building every day. I think the kids enjoy me as a teacher. I'm a pretty straightforward person and I want to put kids in a position to succeed on the field and in the classroom.”