A New Chapter for DeKalb Baseball
Trenton Sopko, a 2012 DeKalb graduate and former catcher, was officially approved by the District 428 school board to serve as the program’s new head baseball coach. His appointment follows a five‑year stretch in which Josh Latimer transformed the team from a two‑win outfit into a consistent winner, amassing 88 victories and establishing a benchmark for success in the area.
Sopko inherits a program that has already begun to reap the rewards of that work. Two pitchers from the current roster are slated to continue their careers at NCAA Division I schools in the 2027 season, a testament to the pipeline that Latimer cultivated and that Sopko intends to extend.
In outlining his vision, Sopko has emphasized postseason ambition, targeting regional, sectional and supersectional achievements. He plans to grow the talent pool from the ground up, running camps and standardizing terminology that begins in middle school and moves down to younger levels, ensuring a seamless transition for players as they progress through the system.
The new coach’s involvement with the program dates back to 2019, when he joined as an assistant at Indian Creek before assuming the head JV role in 2021. Athletic director Peter Goff highlighted Sopko’s commitment to developing lower‑level teams and creating a cohesive feeder system that will keep the program stocked with capable arms for years to come.
Sopko’s appointment was encouraged by his wife, Sam, and the couple shares a home with two young sons, Cash and Theo. While he has been steering the program since late June, the formal board approval came just this week, signaling the district’s confidence in his leadership.
A Focus on the Future
Beyond the immediate goal of postseason play, Sopko is looking to embed a culture of consistency and ambition across all age groups. By aligning middle‑school instruction with the high school playbook, he hopes to eliminate gaps in technique and terminology that have historically hindered player development.
The community response has been supportive, with local parents and alumni eager to see the next chapter unfold. As the team prepares for the upcoming season, all eyes will be on Sopko as he attempts to translate his playing experience and coaching groundwork into sustained on‑field success.