Shipley switching summer jobs

MARION -- After coaching baseball at Linn-Mar High School for 13 years, Mike Shipley will move to the softball diamond.The school confirmed Tuesday that Shipley has been hired as the Lions' varsity softball coach.Shipley was the freshman coach from 1998 through 2000, the varsity assistant from 2001 to 2007 and the head sophomore coach from 2009 to 2012.He replaces Jon Harms, who resigned after last season.“We are very excited here at Linn-Mar to have Mike Shipley as our next softball coach. The game of baseball and softball have a lot of similarities and obviously some differences, but Coach Shipley has the knowledge, dedication, motivation and  drive that we are looking for in a head coach," said Linn-Mar associate athletics director Tonya Moe. "This has been something he has aspired to do for a few years and he has done his research on what it takes to make this transition and we are very excited to have him on board.”Shipley is a 1993 Linn-Mar graduate, and graduated from Loras College in 1997. He has worked at Excelsior Middle School since 2004 as a student assistance specialist.  He and his wife Carina live in Marion with their children Michael (9) and Elly (7).Linn-Mar was 20-18 last season.“I am very excited for the opportunity to lead the Linn-Mar softball program," Shipley said.  There is a solid group of girls returning and I'm looking forward to working with the coaching staff.”