Bucher will lead Oran baseball program next year

~ The assistant will succeed Wood as coach of the successful Oran baseball program

ORAN -- Oran graduate Paul Bucher nailed down his dream job.

Bucher was informed by his former coach and Oran superintendent Mitch Wood that he was selected to lead the Oran baseball program following a vote by the school board Tuesday,

"It's just awesome," Bucher said. "I waited up and got the text from coach Wood that night. It's hard to describe. Coming back to your hometown and taking over a program that you played for is special. I would like to thank the town, school and community for the opportunity."

Bucher graduated from Oran High School in 2006. He played baseball for two seasons at Shawnee Community College in Ullin, Ill., before transferring to Lambuth University in Jackson, Tenn., where he graduated in 2011.

Bucher spent his first year with the Oran baseball program this past season as an assistant to Wood, who retired after 21 seasons with the Eagles.

"He's been a tremendous help and a huge influence in my life," Bucher said about Wood. "He's probably the reason I looked into education and [was] wanting to become a coach. Playing for him and working under him has been a privilege. He's helped me out tremendously as far as learning how to manage a team. I feel very fortunate that I've played for him and honored to have coached with him."

Wood erased the sting of nine previous empty-handed trips to the Class 1 final four this year when he brought back the school's first state championship -- in any sport -- following an 8-4 win over Santa Fe in O'Fallon, Mo., last month.

Bucher, who made two trips to the final four as a player in 2004 and 2006, knows all about the expectations for the perennially strong program.

"Being from the town and the community and being familiar with the baseball program, expectations are state championships. The expectation is definitely to win," Bucher said. "My first year is set high, which is how it should be. Having got one, I think that will just drive the community and the school even more. You're fortunate to have a setting like this to work in."

Bucher was an assistant at Charleston High School in 2012 under coach Michael Minner before going to Oran. Bucher also has been involved with the Charleston Fighting Squirrels Senior Babe Ruth program.

"I've learned from two of the best coaches in Southeast Missouri as far as I'm concerned," Bucher said. "I can take little bits and pieces from both. That's pretty unique."

Along with Wood, longtime assistant Larry Boshell is also leaving the Oran baseball program after 20 years of service. Bucher is searching for a new assistant, which will more than likely will come from within the Oran school district.

"Coach Boshell has been with the team for 20 years and he's put in a lot of time and effort," Bucher said. "He's spent countless hours of doing the assistant's work. People don't realize how much time and work he puts in, and I'd like to also thank him for teaching me many things last season."

The Oran baseball program has made 12 trips to the final four and never has left without at least one win. Wood finished his career at Oran with a 440-134 record, 15 district titles, 10 final four appearances and a state championship.