Though Kevin Burgi graduated from high school in Jonesboro, Ark., and coached at Hollister and Joplin, he is no stranger to McDonald County High School.

Burgi was recently tapped to take over as coach of the Mustang baseball team following the resignation of Nick Martin.

Martin played college baseball at Arkansas State in Jonesboro, where Kevin Burgi's dad was the pitching coach.

Kevin played a year and a half at Arkansas State before transferring to Garden City Community College and then moving on to Missouri Southern State University. At Southern, Burgi was a teammate of Kellen and Kanon Hoover and Bo Bergen, all coaches at MCHS.

After college, Burgi coached at Hollister with his dad for one year and then has spent the past five years at Joplin High School.

Burgi said that Martin told him this spring he would be stepping down from baseball, so he started thinking about applying for the job if it did come open.

"It was kind of funny because I was talking to my wife in January about taking a head job sometime," Burgi said. "I told her it would have to meet the requirements for what I want. As we were talking about it, probably a month or two later, Nick called me and said this might be open."

Burgi said the job at McDonald County was just what he was looking for.

"I told my wife this is literally, everything we wanted to do," Burgi said. "Leaving Joplin was kind of tough, but as it got time to apply, I felt it was time to go."

Burgi said the things we were looking for included the size of the school and the type of kids who attend MCHS.

"I love the size of the school," Burgi said. "Honestly, I love the mentality of the kids. When we played them this spring, I saw they were hard-nosed, blue-collar kids. They seem coachable and seem like they are going to be very fun to work with. I am excited and can't wait to get started this summer working with the kids. I just want to thank the school board for the opportunity."

Burgi and his wife, Carrie, have one child, 19-month-old daughter, Olivia.

Martin said he has been familiar with the Burgi family since his college days at Arkansas State.

"I have known the Burgi family for a long time, and Kevin comes from good stock," Martin said. "He is very knowledgeable about the game of baseball. I am excited with the bunch of kids he has returning and the future of the program. He has a good connection with the guys we have on staff, and I expect good things from that whole coaching staff."