Perkins Named Baseball Coach at Olathe South

Josh Perkins has been named the interim baseball coach for Olathe South High School. Perkins is currently a science teacher at Frontier Trail Junior High School, an assistant football coach at Olathe South and was an assistant baseball coach for the Falcons.

"Following the announcement in mid-July that Carl Garrett would no longer be the head baseball coach at Olathe South High School, a decision was made to look within the program for an interim head coach," Principal Phil Clark said. "Coach Garrett's decision to assume the responsibility of an assistant principal at Prairie Trail Junior High School is celebrated, but does leave the Falcon baseball community with a sense of loss. His leadership and contributions over the past two years have been exceptional and has built upon the outstanding tradition of Olathe South baseball." 

With a desire for continuity and the positive qualities of the remaining members of the Olathe South coaching staff, Clark said, it became clear a solid replacement could come from within. Plans were announced to the Olathe South baseball community that the position would be filled on an interim basis. An evaluation of program and player development over the next year, along with who might express interest in the position, will factor into a final decision about whether or not a search will be conducted, he said.

"We are very excited to have had the opportunity to get to know Josh as a student-athlete, teacher and assistant coach in our community," Olathe South Athletic Director Robert Kersey said. "He is quality person, knowledgeable coach, a student of the game, a good communicator and brings a passion to Olathe South athletics.

"He will do a great job and we appreciate his desire to pursue this interim assignment. We are very fortunate to have had the quality of candidates from within the Olathe South baseball program and know the program continues to be in great hands." 

Perkins was a standout baseball and football player at Olathe South. He also played college baseball at Rockhurst University in Kansas City. His father, Don Perkins, was a long-time baseball and football coach at Olathe South High School.

Initially, Clark said, plans were to make the announcement on Friday, Aug. 1, but it was delayed due to the Olathe South American Legion Team competing at the State Tournament in Pittsburg over the weekend. The South administration and the coaching staff didn't want the athletes to be distracted.