New coach calls Tates Creek baseball job his 'dream come true'

Larry Poynter finally has his dream job. He's the new baseball coach at Tates Creek, a position held by only two other men in school history.

"I played for Ron Cole and coached under Dom Fucci, and now to get to take over this program with all its tradition, it's an unbelievable honor," Poynter said. "It's a dream come true."

Poynter was a standout catcher for the Commodores and played on their 1990 state runner-up team.

He began his coaching career as an assistant at Tates Creek, and served under Fucci from 1994-2004.

He left to become head coach at Bryan Station in 2005 and stayed there four years. The Defenders had their first winning record in his last season, 2008.

Poynter then moved across town to coach at Paul Laurence Dunbar, where he went 113-67 in five years.

He returned to Tates Creek as an assistant this past season, and when Fucci retired, he recommended Poynter to be his successor.

"This is something I've always wanted," Poynter said. "This is home. Hopefully I can carry on what the other two guys were able to do here."

Cole led the Commodores to three state titles (1978, '80, '86). Fucci guided them to two region titles (2013, '14).

Poynter will also move from a teaching position at Dunbar to one at Tates Creek.

This story was originally published June 4, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "New coach calls Tates Creek baseball job his 'dream come true'."