Paul Harrington has been the face of Farmington men's fastpitch softball since shortly after his graduation from FHS in 1974. This spring he will bring his experience and talents to the Tiger girls' program.
Farmington athletic director Jon Summer announced last week that Harrington will replace Rob Laden on the Tiger bench. Laden leaves the program after a two-year stint where he compiled a 24-22 win-loss record.
Harrington, a three-sport athlete during his playing days at FHS and a long-time employee of the Federal Reserve Bank in Minneapolis, has a rich fastpitch background both as a player and a coach.
His Farmington and West St. Paul amateur teams won state championships in 1992 and 1999 and six other times finished as state runners-up. They made seven national tournament appearances and won a host of league and tournament titles.
Harrington began his high school coaching career at St. Louis Park in 1994 where he helped that school become competitive in the talent-filled Classic Lake Conference.
After seven years there, Harrington moved to Totino Grace in Fridley where he put that school's program on the state softball map. During his 10-year run as head coach, the Eagles won five North Suburban Conference titles; advanced to the section finals seven times and played in five state tournaments. His coaching record at Grace was an impressive 190 wins and 87 losses.
Harrington said leaving Grace was a difficult decision but he found the Farmington position especially appealing.
"I've been running the men's league here since 1976 and Farmington has a lot of fastpitch history," he said. "It's close to home and it's an opportunity to coach at my alma mater."
The former Tiger said he looks forward to working with the summer and middle school programs in building a feeder system, a luxury he didn't have at a private school like Totino Grace.
"I want to give the kids a great high school softball experience," he said. "I want to build the reputation of the Farmington program and make it one that helps prepares the girls for life after softball."
Harrington said he expects some early challenges with a new conference and a new section to learn.
"And it's always difficult to learn the abilities of 50 or 60 girls in such a short period of time," he said. "We'll have to put in some overtime, so we'll be ready to go for the first game of the season."
Spring practice begins Monday, Mar. 12, with the first game scheduled for Thursday, Apr. 5.
