Mike Mascari '96 Announces Retirement from Coaching

Father Ryan announced today that long-time Baseball Head Coach Mike Mascari '96 is retiring from his coaching position. He will continue in his role of teaching and serving as the Head of the Science Department at Father Ryan.

Beginning with his first season in 2008 as Head Baseball Coach for the Irish and over a total of 18 seasons, Coach Mascari has exceeded 250 career wins, captured the Regional Title in 2014, and earned a trip to the State Championship in 2019. Coach Mascari also developed numerous players who went on to play baseball at the collegiate level, including more than 10 who starred at the Division I level.  He began as an Assistant Baseball Coach for Father Ryan in the 2003-2004 school year. 

“I have had the privilege of experiencing Mike both as a student and faculty member at Father Ryan for over 20 years. Beyond his dedication to forming young men on and off the field, he has spent the last two decades helping our students reach their spiritual, academic, and personal potential. His influence is evident in how his players show up for each other and their community. The commitment to Father Ryan extends beyond his players and students; often spending his summers on campus, taking care of the fields and coaching the next generation of Irish Baseball players at our summer camps. We thank him for his dedication to helping decades of Father Ryan students live out our mission,” said Father Ryan President, Paul Davis ’81. 

Principal Francisco M. Espinosa, Jr. stated, “Coach Mascari has shaped this program with integrity, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to the formation of young men. In the classroom and on the field, he has lived the mission of Father Ryan with authenticity and purpose. His impact extends far beyond wins and losses; it is found in the character, faith, and lives of the students he has guided over many years. He embodies the heart of a servant leader and the vocation of a Catholic educator. We are profoundly grateful for his dedication, and we recognize that individuals of his caliber are rare. As Vince Lombardi once said, 'The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have.' Coach Mascari has given his very best to this community, and we are all better because of it!”

Father Ryan’s Director of Athletics, Ann Mullins ’03, reflected, “Coach Mascari has dedicated many years to Father Ryan Baseball, and his commitment to our student-athletes and the growth of the program has been truly meaningful. We are grateful for the time, energy, and passion he has poured into the young men he has coached and mentored over the years.”

“It has truly been an honor to work with these young men and to be part of this program. I am incredibly grateful for the trust our families have placed in me and for the support they have given along the way. Coaching has been a privilege, and I am proud of the growth, effort, and character all my players have shown,” said Coach Mascari.

Coach Mascari is a Nashville native and a graduate of Father Ryan High School, Class of 1996. He was a four-year member of the Irish Baseball Team from 1993-1996, helping lead the team as a senior to its first Regional appearance in 11 years. He returned to Father Ryan in 2003, shortly after graduating from Christian Brothers University with his Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Physics in 2002. While at CBU, Coach Mascari played baseball, starting for the Bucs over his final two seasons. He went on to serve as a graduate assistant at CBU for one year.

Thank you, Coach Mascari, for your years of dedication to the Irish Baseball program, and we look forward to witnessing you continue to positively impact Father Ryan students in the classroom.