Long-time Clinton baseball coach achieves one milestone while seeking another

By Collin Wieder 

Photo of Kelly Gaunt by Steve Wheeler 

CLINTON - Winning at a consistently high level is synonymous with the Clinton baseball program and long-time head coach Kelly Gaunt, and the latter reached a major milestone earlier this season, capturing his 800th career win. 

The Reds elevated Gaunt to 800 by defeating Kingfisher, 12-11, to close out the I-40 Tournament at the end of March. Since then, as of April 11, his career win-loss mark now sits at 804-418.

In his 33 years at the helm, Gaunt has averaged 24 wins a year against 12 losses.

Grady Gaunt, Clinton's all-around senior starter and Kelly Gaunt’s youngest son, remarked it was truly special getting his dad win No. 800, adding it’s a moment he won’t forget.

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Although it’s a tremendous accomplishment, coach Gaunt said it was still business as usual when he picked up the win. He doesn’t specifically coach to topple win totals and add to the resume, but just to win games and keep the program headed in the right direction.

“Honestly, I hadn’t thought about it that much,” Gaunt said about reaching 800 wins. “It just kinda got out. I don’t think about it other than I’ve done it a long time.

"It just seems if I’ve won the last game, I feel pretty good about it. If I’ve lost the last game, I’m trying to win the next one. I think as long as I’m coaching, that’s the way I look at it.”

It’s hard to argue with that approach, when looking at the results and the longevity.

The veteran head coach started his head coaching career at Clinton and has stayed there ever since.

Although he graduated from Clinton’s Custer County rival, Weatherford, he’s made Clinton his home and led the baseball to its highest heights in three-plus decades at the helm.

Under Gaunt, the Reds won their only baseball state title (1994), appeared in nine state tournaments and advanced to 29 consecutive regional tournaments.

“I think that’s the rarer feat,” Gaunt said about his lengthy time with the Reds. “Clinton has been really good to (his wife) Tonya and I, and we’ve liked it. It’s close to home, and it’s worked out.

"It’s a great place to be, great community and great kids. We’ve loved every second of it here and have been fortunate in the coaching profession to get to stay."

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Gaunt added he has been extremely grateful to be able to coach for a long period of time for another reason.

“Usually, coaches get in trouble, because they don’t win," he said. "We’ve been lucky to have great talent for a number of years.

"I’ve never had those terrible seasons, where coaches get in trouble with their jobs and stuff. I’ve been fortunate in that area.”

The regional streak is one that the town holds with pride as it is one of the longest in state history.

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However, Clinton’s 2023 squad will need to grow up fast in order to push the streak to 30. This year’s squad returns just two starters from 2022 and sits at 10-14 overall and 6-4 in district on season as of April 11.

However, Gaunt and the Reds have engineered plenty of impressive mid-season and late runs to advance beyond the district stage. With the possibility of reaching 30 consecutive regional tournaments, it may be wise not to bet against them.