Barry Vetter named Blackman baseball coach

Cecil Joyce
Murfreesboro Daily News Journal

It didn't take Blackman High long to find a new head baseball coach.

One week, to be exact.

Longtime area coach Barry Vetter was named the Blaze head coach Wednesday, replacing Justin Entrekin, who resigned last week.

"When (athletic director) Mr. (Scott) Lawless and I looked and talked about a new head baseball coach, we realized we had what we needed right here with Coach Vetter," said Blackman principal Leisa Justus. "He has experience and already has great relationships with players, parents, and the assistant coaches.

Blackman's Barry Vetter coaches third base during the state tournament this past season. Vetter was named Blaze head baseball coach on Wednesday.

"Added to that, he has a deep knowledge and love for the game. It was an easy decision and one we feel will be a great fit for Blackman High School."

Vetter spent the past two seasons as an assistant under Entrekin at Blackman after spending the previous 17 years as head coach at Smyrna.

He hadn't planned on being a head coach again after leaving Smyrna, but his attitude changed after two years with the Blaze.

"When I resigned from Smyrna, I had no intentions of being a head coach again," said Vetter. "But after these two years, I was enjoying it.

"It's just one of those things. The administration asked me if I would be interested. They wanted somebody familiar with the program with experience and who knew the kids to make it a smooth transition. I agreed to get back into it."

Blackman is coming off a Class AAA state tournament appearance in 2017. Entrekin led the Blaze to a 29-12 record and District 7-AAA regular-season and Region 4-AAA championships.

Vetter was the head coach at Smyrna from 1999-2015, taking the 2007 Bulldog squad to the state tournament. Prior to that he was a head coach at Shelbyville.

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The MTSU graduate pitched for the Blue Raiders in 1986-87 and was a graduate assistant pitching coach in 1990 under Steve Peterson.

Blackman wanted to make a decision before the upcoming TSSAA dead period, a two-week period beginning June 25 in which coaches can not have contact with players.

"We had quite a bit of interest (in the position) from some well qualified coaches," said Lawless. "When Dr. Justus and I sat down we realized what we were looking for and needed was right here. He has experience and he's been around the program a couple of years. He'll do a great job."

Vetter, who teaches physical science at Blackman, will get the ball rolling after the dead period. He has planned a meeting for July 11 for all returning players and new players who are interested in trying out. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the school auditorium.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.