(4-7-25) Beloved New Riegel Athletic Director Jamie Jamie Lininger (53) passed away this weekend.

The Courier (March 25, 2022) – ‘I feel like I’ve left my legacy’

In a March 25, 2022 Courier story, Jamie Lininger who had just stepped down as the school’s softball coach after 17 seasons said this–

“It was a great run and I feel like I influenced a lot of kids’ lives, hopefully, in a positive manner, I feel like I’ve left my legacy. I’m pretty proud of a lot of our accomplishments.”

In 2021 Lininger was inducted into the Ohio Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

  • 17 seasons (2004-2021)
  • 331-133 career record
  • 29 wins in season
  • 3 state semifinals. 5 regionals
  • Eight teams won at least 20 games in a season
  • 19 All-Ohio players

Six conference championships — Midland Athletic League in 2010 and 2012, Sandusky River League in 2015 and 2016 and Sandusky Bay Conference River Division in 2019 and 2021.

A special part of his career was being able to coach both of his daughters…Kayleigh and Jacquelyn..

The Advertiser-Tribune (June 2, 2021) ‘From the moment I put a softball in my hand, I only wanted to make him proud’

A proud dad told the Advertiser-Tribune in 2021…

“And ever since she was little, ‘Dad can we pitch?’ I would say to my older daughter ‘Jacquelyn, let’s go pitch.’ I couldn’t get Kayleigh off the mound in our backyard. She’s worked so hard and she deserves this, so to see her get to state with her team, it’s just very fulfilling.”

Kayleigh in the same article said–

“I feel like people think it’s easier being the coach’s daughter, but the coaching doesn’t stop when you leave the field. We laugh about it, but when he mumbles, as his daughter I know what he’s saying, but it’s also great like moments after the game after a big win, we’re both crying.

It’s unbelievable because from the moment I put a softball in my hand, I only wanted to make him proud. Just knowing going to state with it being his last year of coaching, I’m so glad it was ended like this and with me as the pitcher.”

At the January 16th, 2025 New Riegel Board of Education meeting —- The resignation of teacher Megan Loar and athletic director Jamie Lininger at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

Social media saw numerous postings on the loss of Lininger….