By Patrick MacCoonRecord Sports EditorOften throughout high school sports, coaches come and go.For Scott Butler, dedication and love for his hometown play a major part in his role as an instructor on the football sidelines and baseball diamond. That love also has served as one of the reasons why he moved back to coach his alma mater.From 2005-07, the now 26-year-old assistant football and varsity baseball coach was starring as a three-sport athlete for Warrenton. The homegrown talent was a starting quarterback/wide receiver, third baseman and a shooting guard. Sports even filled his summers as he participated in four seasons of Legion baseball for Warrenton Post 122.After graduating high school in 2007, Butler went to Missouri State and played competitive club baseball. In 2009 he took on his first coaching responsibilities as a volunteer coach for Ozark High School baseball and Parkview High School football.“I realized I wanted to be a coach when my playing days were over,” Butler said. “I always loved to lead teams. My teammates in high school would vote me team captain because of my leadership abilities. I was always very intelligent when it came to the game and was always one step ahead.”Through his first five coaching stops, his teams found success as he helped two baseball programs advance to Final Four appearances and took what once was a winless Jarrett Middle School football program to a 5-1 record.However, after spending several years living in Springfield and coaching different programs, his dream came true as he returned to Warrenton last year.Success followed once again.In 2015, Butler served as the freshman head coach for baseball and overtook the responsibilities as a varsity infield coach for the entire program, which finished with 14 wins and a trip to the GAC district championship game. He also served as an offensive coordinator for the freshman football team, which went undefeated at 8-0 and was the quarterbacks coach for varsity.“I always wanted to come back,” he said. “My dream was always to coach for my alma mater. Not only that, but coach for the coach that coached me, Steve McDowell.”As he became yet again a familiar face in the community, this summer Butler took over the head coaching reins for the Warrenton Senior Legion baseball program. Coming off consecutive one-win seasons for Post 122 heading into his opening summer as manager, he knew from past experiences change could be made.With a young and energetic presence, players quickly took to his teaching and leadership ability. All of a sudden, some of the top baseball talent from Wright City and Warrenton began to join sides to help in his pursuit of re-energizing the program. From the get-go, Butler realized he had something special.“I knew coming in previous years had been what some would say, a disaster,” Butler said. “But, I told them from tryouts that we had the pieces to do something great. I could see the talent from day one and all they needed was an even stronger desire to win.”A useful boost of energy is exactly what was in store for the Warrenton Senior Legion baseball team this summer. With a new desire to win, new program standards were set.In his first year as a coach in American Legion baseball, a league that was founded in 1925, Post 122 went above and beyond what was expected.After three straight seasons of missing out of playing beyond the regular season, record-breaking achievements were obtained under Butler.With some of the top area players around, which included GAC All-Conference Player of the Year Ben Stephens, Warrenton became a force to be reckoned with.Amongst its accomplishments, the program won 14 games, had eight- and four-game winning streaks, won 12 of 13 to end the regular season, made a district tournament appearance, won a district tournament game and made its first zone tournament appearance.Warrenton finished with a 14-7 overall record and despite losing three of its last four games, the program made it further than it had ever since 2006 when Butler himself was a player on a team that advanced to the district tournament championship game.“The biggest factor for me wanting to coach here was basically me being an alum of this community and Post 122,” he said. “The summer of 2006 was special for me and all those involved. I wanted to come back and help this program achieve even greater things than we did that season. There was a ton of resemblance between this team and the one I played on.”After six years in the Warrenton Legion baseball program, Airk Rader was taken back by how much of a change Butler helped the program make this season.“It was amazing how bought in (Scott) Butler was from the very beginning,” Rader said. “He knew even before our first practice how good we were and could be. He had faith in us and that meant a lot. He was able to transform a team made up of nearly the same guys as the year before from a one-win team to a 14-win team that advanced to zone.”In all sports, winning can bring happiness to a person. For Butler coaching baseball as well as football are two things he takes to heart and wants to use to make a change.“I have a true passion for this game as I truly believe that this isn’t just a game for me, it’s a serious part of my life,” Butler said. “I definitely have aspirations of being a varsity baseball coach someday.”To be back in his hometown and coaching the same programs he played a major role in during his playing days is right where he wants to be.“I just love Warrenton and it has been very good to me,” he said. “I wanted to come back and work for a great district and get its sports to be a powerhouse. I want to help shape a winning culture all-around.”
In Scott Butler's first season as head coach for Warrenton's Senior Legion baseball team, the 26-year old put together a 14-win season. His baseball philosophies and motivation also helped Post 122 to its first ever Zone 1 Tournament appearance.
Bill Barrett photo.
