Nine days after Gardendale head baseball coach Pat Keedy shifted his career into the administrative gear, the school announced his son, Ryan, as his successor. After 12 seasons on the diamond, Pat was approved for an open assistant principal position at Gardendale last Tuesday.

Ryan, who has worked on the Rockets’ staff for the last eight seasons following a brief stint in professional ball, brings with him a wealth of baseball knowledge.

“Being a head coach is something I’ve wanted to do for a while. Even when I was still playing it was something I thought about doing,” said Keedy. “Getting to be a JV head coach kinda gave me a little taste of what it’s like. I couldn’t be more excited. I hope the kids are excited and I’m just ready to get going.”

Ryan, 32, was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 16th round of the 2008 MLB Draft. He tallied up a .382 career batting average at UAB where he was tabbed an All-American in 2008. He was a two-time Jefferson County Class 5A Player of the Year while playing for Pat at Mortimer Jordan High School.

“Over the course of my life and especially over the last few years just about everything I’ve learned coaching-wise he’s taught me,” said Keedy of his father. “As far as the JV games go, he’s kinda said, ‘It’s yours. Do what you feel like you need to do.’”

Ryan became a full-time coach at Gardendale in 2012 and went on to lead his 2016 junior varsity team to a 31-2 season. This will be his first head coaching opportunity.

Erik Harris is the Sports Editor of The North Jefferson News. Email him at njnsports@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jeharris2.