By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
It added up for St. Mary’s and Dennis Breland.
He’s a certified math teacher who has retired, but isn’t tired. In fact, he taught as a substitute for a couple of months this spring up at Mansfield High School
He’s also a certified winner as a high school baseball coach.
The Tigers needed a new baseball boss after Marty Dewees departed on the heels of two district championships and 40 wins in his two seasons. And St. Mary’s School wanted an educator with credentials like Breland’s.
In fact, St. Mary’s principal Stephen Wren had tried to convince Breland to accept a math teaching post for the last couple of years.
Last week, the timing was right. Friday, St. Mary’s announced the hiring of Breland, with 35 years of coaching experience including being part of the Tigers’ 2010 state baseball championship coaching staff under Jeramie Hale, stepping away after the following season when St. Mary’s was state runner-up.
Breland said he wasn’t looking for a coaching job, but this was a well-timed fit. He last coached in high school over a decade ago.
“I did some coaching two summers ago with my son (in travel ball), and realized I still had a desire to coach. When I had the right opportunity to coach and teach, I decided I’d do it,” he said.
Being away from high school baseball for a dozen years is not a big concern from the coaching aspect, he said. However, there’s a key component that he’s diving into, after only having observed how the power point-bracketing for playoffs, and the Select/Non-Select divisions, have become standards since he last manned a coaching box at St. Mary’s.
“Baseball’s going to be baseball. But scheduling the correct way so you can maximize your power points, get a decent seed and have a better chance in the playoffs, that’s a major priority now and wasn’t a factor 12 years ago,” said Breland. “That’s the adjustment for me.”
Non-district games are vital to that goal, he said.
“If I don’t have enough non-district opportunities to schedule, then it’s tough for us to raise our stock. We’ve got to play up, but play games where we have real opportunities to pick up power points with wins,” said Breland.
While assessing the 2025 schedule is vital, Breland is more patient about getting a good grasp of who will be taking the diamond for the Tigers next spring.
“I know absolutely nothing at this point. I met with the parents and some players last week as an introduction, and want to have another meeting next week. A lot of these are playing travel ball. I’d like to play a few games this summer, but if I can’t, I understand, and I’ll get out and watch all I can.
“It won’t be that big a deal. I’ll put in what I know will be successful, and I’ll develop these kids to play the way I want them to play.”
As his Tiger coaching tenure resumes, the vibe is positive and confident.
“I’m excited. The parents and the kids are excited,” said Breland. “It’s going to take us a little while to get to where we want to be, but we’ll get there.”
He graduated from Louisiana College in 1987 and earned his Masters of Education from Northwestern State University in 2017. Along with coaching, he will be teaching upper level math and will be disciplinarian for grades 7-12, said the St. Mary’s announcement.