Baseball players called him determined and said he’s earned respect from each of them. Coach David Wilson is in his final season before retirement, and players reflect on his leadership.

“He really pushes us as a team to be better,” junior Jacob Garcia said.

At the beginning of the school year, Wilson announced his retirement from coaching baseball and teaching. He has been a coach for 30 years, the last 16 at Staley High School. He was named Missouri State Coach of the Year in 2005, and in 2017 was inducted into the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame. In 2023, he had his 400th career win.

But now, it’s time for change.

“I’m ready to do new things in life,” Wilson said.

He said his coaches made a big impact on him. He said when he’s out there coaching, he wants the days to go slow and to savor every last moment.

“I could do that forever,” Wilson said.

Wilson said he planned to work with his brother as his right-hand man building houses.