The Dean: Heritage baseball’s Hall of Fame coach Lehrman calling it a career

MONROEVILLE, Ind. (WANE) – Dean Lehrman’s heart is in Heritage High School. So it’s no surprise that he is also the soul of the Patriots’ baseball program. Lehrman always defers praise to his players and coaches, never taking outright credit for any success. “This is not about me,” Lehrman says whenever he is asked about the success of his program over the years.  All good things must come to an end. With Heritage falling to Bellmont in Thursday’s 3A sectional semifinal, it also ends a Hall of Fame career for Dean Lehrman.

A Heritage High School grad, Lehrman played college baseball close to home at then-IPFW. Following his college career, Lehrman earned a chance to be the head baseball coach at Woodlan High School for the 1978 season. He coached the Warriors’ baseball program for nine seasons before getting a chance to come home to Monroeville.

“I was born and raised here (in Monroeville),” Lehrman said. “This is my roots. It’s where my heart is. I couldn’t turn it down. I came back home and this is where they’ll scatter my ashes right here when it’s all said and done.”

With Lehrman taking over as the head baseball coach at Heritage, the Patriots surged into one of the most consistent programs in the state. Since Lehrman took over for the 1987 season, Heritage has won eight sectional titles and four regional championships while also reaching the 2A state championship game in 2007.

With 742 wins, Lehrman is one of only a dozen head baseball coaches state history to amass 700 or more wins in their career. He was inducted into the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame, along with the Northeast Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame

“We have three words that have been our mantra for decades: Pride, Honor, Courage,” Lehrman said. “We’ve had a little success, I’ll admit, but it’s not because of this guy. A lot of hard work, and a lot of hours and a lot of dedication. Once you get that rolling then it’s on you to keep that going.”

While Heritage has prided itself on success over the decades, Lehrman’s main mission is to prepare young men to be good people in society. Scripture passages and quotes from legendary coaches are inked within the Patriots’ dugout. Right next to Lehrman’s lineup card is a metal sign reading, “We teach more than baseball here.”

“Baseball has always been a metaphor for life,” Lehrman said. “You know as well as I do it’s a game of failures. If you succeed 3 out of 10 times, you’re a great ball player. You fail 7 out of 10 times.”

Ahead of Wednesday’s sectional opener, Heritage hosted Canterbury in Lehrman’s final home game. Just days ago, Heritage High School posted that this game would celebrate Lehrman’s retirement from coaching. In true Lehrman fashion, the coach did not want any pomp and circumstance. To any outsider, it felt like a normal Spring afternoon in Monroeville.

Lehrman’s family and Heritage alumni packed the ballpark to celebrate the Hall of Fame career of their coach. One of the umpires working this game used to play for Lehrman at Heritage. He specifically requested to officiate this game so he could see his coach one last time in action.

Prior to first pitch, Lehrman’s children and grandchildren gathered around him at home plate for a pre-game celebration. The coach was presented with a plaque to commemorate his career. Canterbury head coach Bubba McMahon gifted Lehrman with a fishing rod, knowing the retiring coach will have a lot more downtime moving forward. Lehrman then trotted out to the bump to throw a ceremonial first pitch. Squatting at home plate was one of his grandsons. In fitting fashion, Lehrman threw a perfect strike over the heart of the plate. A fitting end to a legendary career for one of the best baseball coaches to ever call northeast Indiana home.