By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

In the summer of 2014 Springdale High School hired Shon Doty as their new head coach. Doty’s previous stop was Arkansas Fort Smith where he served as the Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for over 10 years.

Doty went to work on a program that had not been to the state play offs in a decade. With his high energy approach and ability to develop pitchers, the bulldogs reached the playoffs in 2016. Though there run in the playoffs was a short stint it was a memorable game. Conway defeated them 1-0 in 8 innings, scoring their lone run on a misplayed two out pop up. Conway finished as the 7A State Runner-Up.

Doty’s energy and ability to develop pitchers continue to make him a sought after commodity. This year the offer was too good to turn down. In June Doty resigned his post as head coach of his Alma Matter to take the job at University of North Carolina Charlotte as the pitching coach.

On June 20^th Springdale High School hired his replacement, Scott Johnson. Coach Johnson comes to Springdale after a 9 year stint at Star City High School.

While at Star City Johnson amassed a record of 143-72 winning 5 conference titles 2 conference runner-up finished, a regional runner up and a State Title in 2015.

I spoke with Coach Johnson about his time at Star City and his decision to accept the job at Springdale.

“I have a lot of memories I will always cherish from Star City and I appreciate all the hard work of my assistance and all the players I had the opportunity to coach it was a tough decision. I prayed about it for a long time. After praying and thinking I decided Springdale was a great opportunity for me! I am excited to meet my new staff and all the young men in the program! We have a lot to build from what they accomplished last year! They made a big step last year and I expect nothing less than to build on that and continue to make progress in the program to one day stand in Baum again!”

He has a solid core coming back in the 2017 returning his top two pitchers from 2016, 2017 RHP Andrew Roach and 2017 RHP Tyler Turner. The Bulldogs also return 2017 MIF Logan Carr and 2019 C Ben Roach, two key offensive contributors from 2016 along with being the short stop and starting catcher.