Dave Bingham has resigned after 12 seasons as the head coach of the Ankeny softball team.
Bingham, who guided the Hawkettes to a 293-188 record and four trips to the state tournament, said it’s too early to call it a retirement.
“I’ll never rule anything out (as far as coaching again),” he said. “But right now I need to focus on work and my family.”
Bingham was an assistant coach under Amy Farmer for Ankeny’s state championship team in 2012. When Farmer departed, Bingham took over and led the Hawkettes to a 34-11 mark and a third-place finish in Class 4A in their final season as one varsity program in 2013.
Bingham’s daughter, Cathlin, was a star on that team. He later coached another daughter, Gabi.
“I think people know that I have no more kids in the program,” Bingham said. “I could keep coaching because I love it. I would love to be a part of it forever, but we have grandkids now and people know that I’m a family person.”
Bingham’s only losing season came in 2015, when Ankeny posted a 22-23 record in the second year after the split into two high schools. But even that team qualified for state and earned a seventh-place finish.
“When Amy and I won a state championship, it seemed really easy,” Bingham said. “We’ve had some ups and downs since the split, but the culture at the end of this last year was as strong as it’s ever been. I told the kids that I think they can win a state championship next year.”
Senior pitcher Aubrey Lensmeyer said she wasn’t surprised by Bingham’s decision.
“There had been some hints throughout the years that it was always a possibility,” she said. “I think this was a good time for Bing knowing how important family is to him. That will allow him to spend more time with his family. I wish him the best and appreciate all that he has done for me and Hawkette softball.”
Bingham guided Ankeny to the state tournament in each of the last two seasons. The Hawkettes went 31-8 in 2023, then placed fourth in Class 5A this year.
“I did get emotional before the Southeast Polk regional final that we won, so that might have been an indication (that I was resigning),” Bingham said. “I don’t know why that happened…it just did. But there was no plan.”
While some coaches suffer from burnout after a long career, Bingham said that was never an issue for him.
“I cared about it, and I was all in every day. It was really important to me,” he said. “(The long hours) never bothered me. I didn’t care if the games went to midnight.”
Ankeny Activities Director Mike Bakker said a search is underway to find Bingham’s replacement.
“Whoever gets the job will have 1,000 percent of my full support,” Bingham said. “They don’t have to talk to me, but they will know that I’ll be in their corner. I’m always going to do what I can for the program aside from coaching or leading it.”
