Gilbert Tiger Varsity Softball Team Photo 2023-24 Season (courtesy of Maxpreps)“New year, new me” is a common term that’s almost too often thrown around, especially around the new year. But it seems that it’s being redefined by Gilbert High School, or at least its softball program…New season, new coach. - Over the past three years, the title of Varsity Softball Head Coach has been shifted between three different people. Whether it is with the hope of a record revival, or faculty facelift, or plainly just a fresh slate for the fun of it, there seems to be a search for the perfect coach for this program.
The current coach on the roster, Michael Kaddatz, has had past experience in coaching. Since 1998 he has worked with not only club softball teams, but other local teams and has made the choice to take on the leadership of the Gilbert Lady Tigers this season. With the new coach and the new season comes a new mindset of encouragement and motivation to find the strengths of this team.
Nicole Matejko, a current GHS varsity player with a commitment to Gateway Community College, has been through three different coaches in her past four years in the program. “Usually you would have the same coach for all three years, but not us. Having four coaches in three years is weird because it’s hard to get used to all of their different styles because all of them are very different,” Matejko said.
The expectations for Coach Kaddatz are set high, with the hopes that he will revive the program- especially considering the past failures of coaches in the past.

And with the kickoff of the first two regular season games and the first season tournament racking consistent wins, expectations just seemed to be met. This was it. This was the coach we had all been waiting for. “ Some are more laid back than others, but it helps me grow as a player. Now I know what coaching styles work best with me. It shows me what helps me grow and what helps our girls get closer together. I really like our new coach though, his style and the way he sees potential in everybody and he truly wants us to get better,” Matejko said.
Unfortunately, while he seems to be a great fit for the team, it might take a little more time before results really start to show since the high ride of victories were soon followed by the current consistent losing streak of seven games straight. Now, with a shocking 5-9 losing record, Gilbert High Athletics face a common dilemma. And we can’t help but ask these same questions again…Are we in for yet another rotation of head coaches? Well, with a total of four games left in the season, Kaddatz has a chance to change this losing record to a neutral record of 9-9. While most may consider it to be a long shot, this could be an amazing accomplishment for Kaddatz. Proving that he can pull through in the hardest of times and take this team beyond what we believe. And in doing so, could possibly have a reason to become the consistent face of the softball program. And as a common theme in sports that we find ourselves discovering, time can only tell what the future holds for these Lady Tigers.

Gilbert Tiger Varsity Softball Team Photo 2023-24 Season (courtesy of Maxpreps)