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It wasn't that long ago when an ambitious 35-year-old chemist out of Naples had the confidence and belief to take on a massive undertaking.
Dave Deiros enjoyed challenges, especially when it came to coaching. First, it was trying to break through in the hotbed that was Collier County softball, a county that saw 12 state championships from 1990-99. Shortly before that, it was building the Gulf Coast softball program from scratch when it opened its doors in 1998. A mere three years later, a bigger and better opportunity came along.
Why not FGCU?
"Silly me, I thought I could conquer college athletics," Deiros told the Naples Daily News. "When I found out this was going to open up, I contacted (FGCU athletic director) Carl (McAloose). When I got here, I thought we were going to be a really good Division II school, NAIA school, I thought that was going to be the extent of it. I never dreamt that we'd be here with this backdrop and this stadium at this school."
After 23 years of being the only coach the FGCU softball program has known, Deiros is stepping away after the season and will transition into a leadership role within the athletic department under Director of Athletics Colin Hargis, looking to make a positive impact on nearly 10 times as many athletes.
More: FGCU founding softball coach Dave Deiros to retire after 2025 season
"It's the only thing that could've gotten me out of the dugout," Deiros said. "I'm not leaving for any other reason other than this being too good of an opportunity to go ahead and pass up. The hardest thing was to go ahead and face (the team) in January when we were going to make the announcement, is face them and tell them."
In less than a decade, FGCU went from an NAIA program to Division II, to Division I. Not even Deiros could've contemplated that when he took the job in 2001, leading the program to over 800 wins as head coach with multiple conference championships, and seeing the student population grow from 3,000 to 16,000 in short order.
And when all things are considered, it's something that probably should have never happened. Deiros was forced to find a new place to work after the lab in Naples where he worked went out of business. Wanting to stay in the area, he came across a teaching position at Lely High. Principal Michele Lugo, whom Deiros still considers a mentor and one of his biggest professional influences, asked for more than just teaching at the time.
"I never had any aspirations of coaching. Ever." Deiros said. "... One of the first things she said to me was, 'What else are you going to do for us?' I started coaching baseball, and I was head JV baseball coach, enjoying my time there. I did two years. I never thought that I was going into softball at that point in time. I came up with every reason why I shouldn't be doing softball. Two months later, I became the head softball coach, and as they say, the rest is history. If I hadn't made that jump, I wouldn't be here."
More: FGCU Athletics turns 20: From gator-filled swampland to thriving Division I program
Over time, the Eagles program continued to grow, and more players kept viewing FGCU as a promising destination. The Eagles have amassed north of 575 wins as a Division I program, winning ASUN Championships in 2012 and 2024, along with securing three ASUN regular-season titles in 2008, 2012, and 2016.
It's been a culmination of a relaxed but serious environment, something Avery Viancos, a senior from Orlando, has grown accustomed to.
"He knows how to get your potential out of you," Viancos said. "He'll get on your case as a coach every once in a while, but you know that it's because he sees so much more in you. He believes in you. It's hard not to like somebody who puts their trust in you every single day. He's a great listener and has a lot of emotional intelligence.
"This is my last year too, so it's kind of fun how DD and I get to experience our last year together. I feel like that's strengthened our relationship this year, knowing that he knows I'm a senior, and I'm giving it my all, and he's giving it his all too... I've definitely learned so much from my freshman year and grown into the person I am today because of him."
Outfielder Emily Chiarella has seen Deiros in a different teaching environment. Chiarella, a junior, serves as his teacher's assistant in his chemistry class and will still be in the classroom alongside Deiros next school year.
"He's always had the perfect balance of seriousness and joking," Chiarella said. "He would take notes and whisper to me that he's writing the practice plan right now during class while the students were working. It's been great to see him in a different light, and he definitely steps into a different type of leadership role, which is great to see."
Maria Angelino grew up practicing on FGCU's softball field in her teens with her travel program and was aware of Deiros' interest in recruiting her during her time at Fort Myers High. Ultimately signing her letter of intent to play for Dartmouth in 2019, Angelino pursued an Ivy League education and graduated early before hanging up her cleats to pursue her master's degree at the University of Arizona.
Reflecting on her decision in Tucson, it wasn't long before Angelino realized the research project she was on wasn't for her, and she missed the sport. Angelino still had two years of eligibility remaining, and her project advisor had moved to FGCU, which put the wheels in motion.
Her first call? Deiros.
"I think it was in October," Angelino recalled of her 2023 conversation. "It was maybe a 10-minute conversation. I cold-called DD and told him, I want to come play at FGCU. He goes, 'Alright, let me check with the eligibility office and compliance.' That was basically the extent of the conversation.
"Looking back, he gave me the opportunity to play again with no hesitation. He didn't ask me what my batting average was at Dartmouth, didn't ask me where I played, he put so much trust in me in that moment, and I will forever be grateful for that."
Angelino is one of 211 who have played for Deiros in an FGCU uniform, with many returning for his farewell ceremony Friday afternoon against North Florida. Hugs were aplenty, all celebrating the individual who put the Eagles on the map.
"I don't know who it is, but I'm going to look at somebody, and it's gonna break me," Deiros said. "I don't know who it's going to be. But I'm going to look at something and just reminisce about how special of a time I had with that person and that set of people."
Before playing Florida on February 27, Deiros had an exchange at the batting cages with longtime Gators coach Tim Walton. The two talked about the amount that goes into coaching softball. Walton's words and advice prompted Deiros to step back and understand why he's done what he's done for so long, at both the high school and collegiate ranks.
Shortly thereafter, the two went up for the home plate meeting, with Walton going through the routine of the National Anthem, starting lineups, and the ceremonial first pitch.
Little did Deiros know, he was the one throwing out the first pitch.
"This is your victory tour," Walton said. "Enjoy it."
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: FGCU softball coach David Deiros celebrated after 23 years leading Eagles
Continue reading...
Dave Deiros enjoyed challenges, especially when it came to coaching. First, it was trying to break through in the hotbed that was Collier County softball, a county that saw 12 state championships from 1990-99. Shortly before that, it was building the Gulf Coast softball program from scratch when it opened its doors in 1998. A mere three years later, a bigger and better opportunity came along.
Why not FGCU?
"Silly me, I thought I could conquer college athletics," Deiros told the Naples Daily News. "When I found out this was going to open up, I contacted (FGCU athletic director) Carl (McAloose). When I got here, I thought we were going to be a really good Division II school, NAIA school, I thought that was going to be the extent of it. I never dreamt that we'd be here with this backdrop and this stadium at this school."
After 23 years of being the only coach the FGCU softball program has known, Deiros is stepping away after the season and will transition into a leadership role within the athletic department under Director of Athletics Colin Hargis, looking to make a positive impact on nearly 10 times as many athletes.
More: FGCU founding softball coach Dave Deiros to retire after 2025 season
"It's the only thing that could've gotten me out of the dugout," Deiros said. "I'm not leaving for any other reason other than this being too good of an opportunity to go ahead and pass up. The hardest thing was to go ahead and face (the team) in January when we were going to make the announcement, is face them and tell them."
In less than a decade, FGCU went from an NAIA program to Division II, to Division I. Not even Deiros could've contemplated that when he took the job in 2001, leading the program to over 800 wins as head coach with multiple conference championships, and seeing the student population grow from 3,000 to 16,000 in short order.
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And when all things are considered, it's something that probably should have never happened. Deiros was forced to find a new place to work after the lab in Naples where he worked went out of business. Wanting to stay in the area, he came across a teaching position at Lely High. Principal Michele Lugo, whom Deiros still considers a mentor and one of his biggest professional influences, asked for more than just teaching at the time.
"I never had any aspirations of coaching. Ever." Deiros said. "... One of the first things she said to me was, 'What else are you going to do for us?' I started coaching baseball, and I was head JV baseball coach, enjoying my time there. I did two years. I never thought that I was going into softball at that point in time. I came up with every reason why I shouldn't be doing softball. Two months later, I became the head softball coach, and as they say, the rest is history. If I hadn't made that jump, I wouldn't be here."
More: FGCU Athletics turns 20: From gator-filled swampland to thriving Division I program
Over time, the Eagles program continued to grow, and more players kept viewing FGCU as a promising destination. The Eagles have amassed north of 575 wins as a Division I program, winning ASUN Championships in 2012 and 2024, along with securing three ASUN regular-season titles in 2008, 2012, and 2016.
It's been a culmination of a relaxed but serious environment, something Avery Viancos, a senior from Orlando, has grown accustomed to.
"He knows how to get your potential out of you," Viancos said. "He'll get on your case as a coach every once in a while, but you know that it's because he sees so much more in you. He believes in you. It's hard not to like somebody who puts their trust in you every single day. He's a great listener and has a lot of emotional intelligence.
"This is my last year too, so it's kind of fun how DD and I get to experience our last year together. I feel like that's strengthened our relationship this year, knowing that he knows I'm a senior, and I'm giving it my all, and he's giving it his all too... I've definitely learned so much from my freshman year and grown into the person I am today because of him."
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Outfielder Emily Chiarella has seen Deiros in a different teaching environment. Chiarella, a junior, serves as his teacher's assistant in his chemistry class and will still be in the classroom alongside Deiros next school year.
"He's always had the perfect balance of seriousness and joking," Chiarella said. "He would take notes and whisper to me that he's writing the practice plan right now during class while the students were working. It's been great to see him in a different light, and he definitely steps into a different type of leadership role, which is great to see."
Maria Angelino grew up practicing on FGCU's softball field in her teens with her travel program and was aware of Deiros' interest in recruiting her during her time at Fort Myers High. Ultimately signing her letter of intent to play for Dartmouth in 2019, Angelino pursued an Ivy League education and graduated early before hanging up her cleats to pursue her master's degree at the University of Arizona.
You must be registered for see images attach
Reflecting on her decision in Tucson, it wasn't long before Angelino realized the research project she was on wasn't for her, and she missed the sport. Angelino still had two years of eligibility remaining, and her project advisor had moved to FGCU, which put the wheels in motion.
Her first call? Deiros.
"I think it was in October," Angelino recalled of her 2023 conversation. "It was maybe a 10-minute conversation. I cold-called DD and told him, I want to come play at FGCU. He goes, 'Alright, let me check with the eligibility office and compliance.' That was basically the extent of the conversation.
"Looking back, he gave me the opportunity to play again with no hesitation. He didn't ask me what my batting average was at Dartmouth, didn't ask me where I played, he put so much trust in me in that moment, and I will forever be grateful for that."
Angelino is one of 211 who have played for Deiros in an FGCU uniform, with many returning for his farewell ceremony Friday afternoon against North Florida. Hugs were aplenty, all celebrating the individual who put the Eagles on the map.
"I don't know who it is, but I'm going to look at somebody, and it's gonna break me," Deiros said. "I don't know who it's going to be. But I'm going to look at something and just reminisce about how special of a time I had with that person and that set of people."
You must be registered for see images
Before playing Florida on February 27, Deiros had an exchange at the batting cages with longtime Gators coach Tim Walton. The two talked about the amount that goes into coaching softball. Walton's words and advice prompted Deiros to step back and understand why he's done what he's done for so long, at both the high school and collegiate ranks.
Shortly thereafter, the two went up for the home plate meeting, with Walton going through the routine of the National Anthem, starting lineups, and the ceremonial first pitch.
Little did Deiros know, he was the one throwing out the first pitch.
"This is your victory tour," Walton said. "Enjoy it."
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: FGCU softball coach David Deiros celebrated after 23 years leading Eagles
Continue reading...
