Sam Carrodo said that when the softball season ended last spring he had every intention of retiring from coaching.

Then through some unexpected developments, the Liberty High position opened up and Carrodo saw an opportunity to stay in the game he has long loved.

But before he applied, he had to check with someone first.

"I needed to check with Rich Giering," Carrodo said of the former Hurricanes coach. "Rich is like a brother to me and if he didn't give me his blessing, I'd never have applied for the job. Rich said it was OK with him."

Giering, who was 97-44 over six seasons, had a rather unfortunate situation at the end of last season cause his departure at Liberty. He has already joined the Easton staff.

Carrodo had been on Giering's Liberty staff for four seasons after having tremendous success at Northampton Community College.

"Besides Rich, I also had to check with my family because I spent so much time away from them when I was at NCC," Carrodo said. "You can't get that time back, but the family gave me the OK, so I went for it. I am glad it all worked out."

Carrodo has four children, three grandchildren and another grandchild on the way. Two of his kids are twins 18-year-old Nicholas and Devan who are seniors at Liberty.

He will surround himself with even more Liberty people in his new role, with former Hurricanes Katie Snyder, Michelle Panik, Crystal (Epright) Aungst and Mandy (Sterner) Hinkle joining his staff.

Maria DeBonis, Katie Buskirk and Laura Frederick will continue on the Liberty staff.

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New Liberty softball coach Carrodo needed to get the blessing of Rich Giering