Lieser, Dobbs among new coaches for Cape Central this fall

The fall season is set to see a number of new faces on the sidelines for Cape Girardeau Central athletics.

While the hiring of new football coach Arlen Pixley was announced in March, the summer has brought a pair of new hirings for the Tigers, with Jared Dobbs set to take over both the boys and girls soccer programs and Justin Lieser, a familiar face at Central, grabbing the reins of the softball team.

Dobbs was head coach the last three seasons at Marion (Ill.), leading both the boys and girls soccer team and often crossing paths with Cape Central on the field. As a Southeast Missouri State graduate, the opportunity to get back to the area was a major draw for the 33-year-old coach.

"I've always loved the area," Dobbs said. "This whole area's always been a hotbed for soccer. I just felt it was a great fit for my wife and I."

In his three years at Marion, Dobbs posted a combined record of 100-33 while helping his teams to multiple conference and regional championships. Prior to his time with the high school program, he spent eight years as a club soccer coach in Illinois.

Central's boys went 6-18 last season, while the girls went 3-17-1. Both were under the direction of Dan Martin.

He said his teams do have some key traits he'll look to install with the Tigers.

"I'm very big into possession with a purpose," Dobbs said. "Zonal defending is always imperative. Every player has their key role to make the system run smoothly."

So far, Dobbs has only had the opportunity to work with his players -- the boys will begin their season in August -- for a few open sessions, but said he thinks things have started well.

"I'm just looking forward to the opportunity," Dobbs said. "It's always a difficult transition for players to adjust to a new coach, and vice versa, but I think we're starting on the right foot. All the boys who have been at the sessions have been open-minded and willing to work hard, and from a coach's standpoint, that's all you can ask for."

Lieser also hopes his transition will be a smooth one.

The 35-year-old is fresh off a summer coaching the Cape Girardeau Senior Legion Ford & Sons Post 63 baseball team. He's been running the Cape legion program since 2013 and has been involved in some capacity since 2009. He's also been a varsity assistant at Central High School, also filling roles as freshman coach and junior varsity coach.

Being able to remain in the community is something that Lieser hopes will smooth his transition into head fastpitch softball coach. He was also officially hired in May, giving him a chance to sit down with players who were expecting to return.

"One advantage I have is that I had most of the girls [in junior high] where I teach in the fifth and sixth grade. So they know what to expect and my coaching philosophy," Lieser said. "Them already knowing me and my personality and expectations, I think that's going to help us out.

"From what I know from last year's record and some of the personalities on the team, it's going to be important that we play with a gritty mindset; a team-first concept as far as doing the little things right and paying attention to detail. I believe the small things become the big things. We'll probably focus a lot on fundamentals to the point that it becomes second nature, hopefully, for the girls."

This is the first foray into softball for Lieser, who graduated from Fox High School in Arnold and later earned his degree at Southeast Missouri State. That, however, was part of the appeal.

"It's a new challenge," Lieser said. "From a lifelong baseball guy, the game of softball is pretty exciting to watch. The different situational aspects and strategy, quite a few things are similar, but also some things are different. I thought it would be a good time for challenge."

Tiger softball went 6-19 in 2015 under head coach Amy Blattel.

[Editor's notes: Correction was made to correctly identify soccer coach as Jared Dobbs.]