Cirby Vest lives, breathes and thinks about coaching before and after the bell rings.
The new Goose Creek Memorial softball coach was hired this week to take over the Pats' program, which hasn't made the postseason the past two years.
Let's just say, she is enthusiastic and will breathe new life into the east Houston school.
Vest comes from North Shore where she was the assistant coach. Her husband Ryan Vest is the head baseball coach at North Shore.
"Being married to a coach, we are constantly thinking about ways to motivate kids," Vest said. "I've always had the teaching bug since being young. Seeing growth in kids, you can't put a value on it. It's a high when you see them develop."
Vest played her high school ball at La Porte, where the 'Dogs reached two regional finals. She then went on to play her college ball at Galveston College and UH-Victoria.
"I had a fairy tale high school career," the four-year starter said. "We were a family, we supported each other and we were a proud of our program."
She hopes to bring that "family" culture to her new job.
"It's a surreal thing," she said about her first head coaching job. "When you are an assistant, you always feel like you can be a head coach. When you get the job, you are so excited. I'm super hungry to do a great job. It has put me back in playing-mode, where I'm so determined. I know there is so much to do, but I feel like I'm prepared."
While she seems to be a players' coach, Vest has tremendous passion for the game and won't let anyone disrespect it.
"We are in the Golden Age of softball," she said. "There are so many opportunities for players now, but you still have to want to work. It's not going to be easy all the time. It's a process and you have to get over the hump during the hard times."
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
