Todd Merical has been named DCG’s Head Softball Coach – pending DCG School Board approval.
This will be Merical’s second stint with DCG. He spent four seasons with the Mustangs in the early 2000’s. Merical was the Johnston Head Softball Coach for the last 22 seasons and was also in the dugout in Shenandoah for eight years.
“I’m thrilled at the opportunity of rejoining the team at DCG,” Merical shares. “DCG Softball has a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to build on the Mustang tradition.”
Merical led DCG to its first-ever trip to the Iowa High School State Softball Tournament in 2000. At Johnston, Merical’s team captured three state championships and five conference titles.
He was named the Class 5A State Coach of the Year three times. Merical was inducted into the Iowa Girls Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2017 and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2021.
Merical interviewed for this position with members of the DCG Softball program, parents, administrators and head coaches of other DCG programs.
“Coach Merical will continue the tradition of excellence for DCG Softball and our entire activities program,” shares Brent Buttjer, DCG Activities Director. “His passion for student-athlete development is extraordinary and our players and coaches will benefit greatly from having him on staff.”
Merical’s position will be presented to the DCG School Board at its next meeting on Monday, September 30.
“I can’t wait to get started,” adds Merical.