A Quiet Departure
After nine seasons at the helm of the Devils Lake Firebirds, Brent Luehring announced his retirement, ending an era that saw the program climb to new heights in Eastern Dakota Conference play.
Under his guidance the Firebirds reached the conference tournament six times, with the last four seasons culminating in EDC tournament appearances, and they came within a win of the state championship on two occasions in the past three years.
Luehring’s teams compiled a 40‑33 record over his tenure, earning Eastern Dakota Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2019 and 2024, a testament to his ability to build a competitive program from the ground up.
His decision to step down was driven by family considerations; he wanted to spend more time with his four children, ages ten, eight, five and three, and to prioritize their upbringing over the demanding coaching schedule.
Looking Ahead
Although he is leaving the varsity staff, Luehring plans to coach a 9U Legion team with one of his sons this summer, and he remains an avid supporter of the sport, often attending games of former players like Jeff Carpenter and Eric Nygaard.
The 2022 state title win stands as a highlight of his era, a moment he told his children would help shift perceptions about Devils Lake baseball, and he hopes the next coach will continue the program’s tradition of competitiveness and strong staffing. Beyond the field, Luehring will return to the classroom this year, teaching history at Devils Lake High School after a previous stint at Central Middle School, and he intends to stay involved in youth baseball coaching, with the possibility of a future return to high school coaching.