Wesleyan's Mike Shaheen to resign after season

By Michael Carvell

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

One of the state's more successful high school baseball coaches says he is "at peace" with his decision to resign after next season at Wesleyan.

Mike Shaheen has coached at Wesleyan since 2004, leading the Gwinnett private school to three state championships and 184 wins, along with producing 15 major-college baseball prospects.

He is leaving Wesleyan to move with his family to the Dominican Republic as missionaries through FCA Baseball. He will coach baseball and teach Bible study, among other things, to the county's youth.

Longtime assistant Brian Krehmeyer will succeed Shaheen as the school's baseball coach.

"The Wesleyan community has been very excited and supportive of our decision," Shaheen said. "The administrators and faculty at Wesleyan believe that this is a natural process of our school's mission.

"By sending 200-plus students and faculty to different countries on missions over spring break each year, the school is planting a seed or equipping individuals for future services to the communities of the world."

Wesleyan athletic director Marc Khedouri endorses Shaheen's move.

"For someone to leave their profession at the height of their personal and worldly success is uncommon, to say the least," Khedouri said.

Shaheen will travel to the Dominican Republic by the end of this month to search for housing and possible schools for his family, which includes two children. He hopes to sell or rent his Duluth house by July.

"God has given my wife and I peace about this decision from the start," Shaheen said. "He will provide for us and this ministry. God will use FCA and baseball in a way that will bring glory to him in the Dominican Republic. We are extremely excited."