Mike Good was a baseball assistant at Madison Academy beginning in 1993 before becoming head coach in 2003. He led the Mustangs to 406-205 record in 14 seasons that included four state championships and two runner-up finishes. CONTRIBUTED

By MIKE EASTERLING / For the Record

HUNTSVILLE – Already a veteran when he became Madison Academy baseball coach in 2003 following years as an assistant and player, Mike Good nonetheless wasn’t ahead of the learning curve.

“Early on, it was important right out of the gate for me to prove something to the other programs around Madison County,’’ said Good, who stepped down after 14 seasons following a third straight Class 3A state championship last month.

“When I and Mark Mincher at Huntsville High first decided to co-host a preseason tournament, (the Mustangs) always worked hard to be ready. When it got to April, we weren’t playing our best baseball.’’

Good was paying attention. He plugged “slower place’’ into the team’s baseball lexicon. The result was six state championship series appearances and four state championships since 2009.

He shared that sentiment as a speaker at the last state baseball coaches association meeting.

“It has some importance and it’s a general mistake some coaches make when they know they have a real good team they try to get out of the gate too fast,’’ he said. “I think it’s important to know how you’re practicing, what you’re putting into each practice, what you’re putting into each game and continually challenging them.’’

Good, 61, said he’s not sure what his baseball future holds after taking a year off to spend more time with his family.

Meanwhile, David Pressley, a former Hartselle and UAH player who joined the Mustang’s staff before this season, will take over as head coach as Madison Academy moved up to 4A.