Jay Raines To Step Down As Dominion Skipper
Dominion head coach Jay Raines steps down after six seasons at Dominion. Raines has been the only coach since the school opened in 2002.
STERLING, VA - After six seasons at the helm for the Dominion Titan baseball program, head coach Jay Raines has decided to step down to pursue other goals.
According to a source close to Gamedaymagazine.com, Raines, the only coach in Dominion's six year history, offered his resignation to school officials on Wednesday, in order to concentrate on Masters studies. Raines was unavailable for interview at Press Time.
Walter McCowat, Dominion high school's outgoing ATLAS president says about Raines, "I was disappointed to learn of Jay Raines' resignation. I believe he instilled a winning attitude in everyone who ever played for him. He faced a number of challenges in building the program, especially since Dominion is one of the smallest schools in the Dulles District in terms of enrollment."
McCowat, the father of 2008 stand-out Titan pitcher Geoffrey McCowat, now playing at American International College, further stated, "Coach Raines was extremely willing to assist graduating Seniors who expressed an interest in playing at the college level. Over each of the past 3 seasons, he has sent at least one Titan to play at the next level, with Chris Taylor going on to play at Rider next year. Whatever he decides to do, I know I speak for many Titan parents in wishing him future success, no matter what [his] endeavor.
My Two Cents: Coach Raines did a good job of trying to build a winning tradition at Dominion, in spite of many obstacles. Low enrollment at the school created low interest in baseball from enough players to be able for the school to field both a Varsity and Junior Varsity program in several seasons, including in 2009. This makes developing younger players into competitive and productive members of a team extremely difficult. Add to that a (small) mix, season to season, of a few overly and openly critical parents, and vocal outside detractors, and Jay Raines had an unenviable task. But after each season of weathering those disappointments, he still came back for more for the next campaign, and for that he earned my admiration. As a father of a son who played for Raines in his 1st three seasons at Dominion, I admit to not always agreeing with his decisions or approaches to the game, and certain players, but I supported his right to do what he felt best. He is always open and honest with both player, and parent, and works hard in getting the most he can out of any individual, no matter their skill level. You can't ask any more out of a coach.
