ELKINS — Jay Auvil admittedly couldn’t be happier to be handed the reins as the new head baseball coach at Elkins High School.

That’s because ever since he graduated from the school in 1990, thoughts of someday returning to coach at his alma mater frequently crossed his mind.

“The only reason I came home after retiring (from the military) was to try and get this job,” said Auvil, who was officially hired by the Randolph County Board of Education last week. “It’s been a dream of mine to be back here in Elkins coaching this team.”

Auvil played first base and saw some time pitching while playing for three seasons (1987 to 1990) under the direction of former coach Mike Johnson.

The 1990 season was a special one for Auvil and the Tigers as they made it all the way to the Class AAA state championship game where they fell to East Fairmont.

“It’s one of my goals to get us back there,” Auvil said of the Tigers playing for a state title. “Elkins is a baseball town and it’s time we start winning some big time games.”

Auvil, who played baseball at Potomac State College for two years after graduating from EHS, was the head baseball coach at Harman High School last season. Before that he spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Tygarts Valley High School.

Auvil also coached travel baseball teams at the America Legion level in Washington D.C. and North Carolina.

“I’m looking forward to the upcoming season,” said Auvil. “I’m really excited to get started.”