Kyle Padgett, who coached the Bishop O’Connell Knights high-school baseball team for 12 seasons, stepped down from that position a few days after the completion of the 2024 season.
“Circumstantial decisions” was the main reason Padgett gave for stepping down. He also will step down from his full-time faculty position at the Arlington private school.
“I think my time here has run its course,” Padgett said. “I have young kids who are involved in more activities and that was a factor. I’m taking a little break to see what comes next in baseball. I’ll look at all options. The program is in good shape. We’ve prepared a lot of players over the years to play in college.”
O’Connell finished 15-12 this past season and 1-1 in the Division I state tournament, with a 1-0 season-ending loss to top seed Miller School in the quarterfinals. The Knights lost seven games by one run.
O’Connell won 148 games during Padgett’s tenure and earned state-tournament berths eight times. The state-tourney was not held in 2020 because of the pandemic.
The Knights had winning records the final six seasons under Padgett. The team’s most single-season victories under Padgett came in 2022 when the Knights finished 20-10.
Padgett was the O’Connell head coach who helped oversee a major renovation to the school’s baseball field and facility in recent years.
Those interested in applying for the O'Connell head baseball job should send a resume, cover letter, a vision for the program and two recommendation letters to athletic director Joe Wootten at: [email protected].