Perry Continues Carter’s Coaching Legacy for Gate City

RADFORD, Va. – Robbie Perry has a passion for Gate City athletics.

The 1982 Gate City graduate played catcher on the Blue Devils baseball team and has served as an assistant coach for seven years. He just never expected to be guiding Gate City in the Group A state championship baseball game, at least not this season.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be the head coach,” Perry said.

Perry was named the interim leader of the Blue Devils on May 1 after head coach Shannon Carter was arrested by Kingsport police on domestic assault and public intoxication charges.

In Perry’s first game as coach, Gate City rolled to a 9-2 victory over Clinch Mountain District rival John Battle. That roll continued until Sunday’s state title loss to Chatham, and
Perry credits Carter for setting the foundation.

Carter, 32, was a baseball and basketball standout at Gate City. He played baseball at East Tennessee State, contributing as both a pitcher and hitter. Carter was named head baseball coach at GC in 2003.

The absence of Carter has been an uncomfortable painful subject for GC players and fans, yet Perry has never lost sight of the big picture.

“It’s just part of the road through life,” Perry said. “[Carter] started this run of success, and he’s still part of this team as far as I know. We’d like to have him back.”

Gate City (21-6) advanced to the Group A quarterfinals in 2003, the state championship game in 2004, and the state semifinals in 2005.

As to who will coach the Blue Devils next season, Perry said that decision is out of his hands.

“That’s totally up to the [Scott County] school board,” Perry said.

Carter is currently on administrative leave.

Perry said that Carter called him Saturday night after the Blue Devils held off Region D rival Honaker, 4-3, in the state semifinals at Radford University.

“Shannon said that he has been praying for our guys, and I’ve been praying for him every day,” Perry said. “I talk to Shannon a lot, and I told that I am here for support.”

Stan Rogers served as the head coach of the Blue Devils for nearly 20 years and continues to work as an assistant coach. 

Rogers, who coached Carter in high school, said he has been proud of the resiliency of Perry and his players.

“This has been Coach Carter’s team,” Rogers said. “[Carter] has just had to battle some problems but his heart has always been with this team and school. Robbie worked with Shannon for several years, and he’s done a great job along with our kids.”

Rogers credited seniors Jordan Estepp and Dustin Jones for setting the positive tone.

“I can’t say enough about our two seniors,” Rogers said. “Jordan and Dustin have done everything we’ve asked them do. You want your seniors to rise to the occasion, and that’s what they did.”

The rugged Jones displayed his determination in various ways Sunday, including breaking up a double play at second with a hard slide.

“Coach Perry came in and did a great job along with Coach Rogers and all our assistant coaches,” Jones said. “I’m really proud of our team to make it this year.”
Jones said he hasn’t forgotten the contributions of Carter.

“He definitely gave us motivation,” Jones said.

Perry, who often called pitches as an assistant coach, said he hasn’t strayed from the basic aggressive approach to baseball employed by Carter.

“I’ve learned a lot of baseball from Shannon,” Perry said. “We tried not to do anything different because that approach is what got us here.”

“I think [Carter] is happy with what we’ve accomplished, and I’m very proud of what this great bunch of kids has achieved.

“We just ran into a buzzsaw today.”