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Chad Slagle has been many things in his high school baseball coaching career.

He has been an assistant baseball coach, head coach, co-head baseball coach, three-time state qualifier and Iowa Class 1A state champion.

Now, one can add another milestone to his career resume - 300-game winner.

On July 1, the North Sentral Kossuth mentor racked up his 300th career win as his Eagles scored a 7-4 win over Algona Public in Algona, Iowa.

This also is Slagle's first year as the sole coach of the Eagles, a title he shared the past two seasons with former Sentral coach Mike Elsbecker.

Slagle came to the area to be the head coach for the North Kossuth Cougars in 2001.

"I had a teaching job in southern Iowa and I wanted to get back home to my family," said Slagle, a graduate of SCMT High School in Sheffield, Iowa.

"I was very lucky to have the opportunity to coach at the great facilities here," he added.

Slagle became the activities director for North Kossuth in 2003.

Prior to becoming the head coach for the Cougars, Slagle was an assistant coach for three years for his alma mater, before becoming the head coach there in 1998 and staying until 2000.

In his first year coaching there, Slagle had a 12-10 record, before taking his charges to the state tournament and the semifinal round in 1999.

After one more season with SCMT, Slagle moved on to North Kossuth.

"My first year (with North Kossuth), we played a North Iowa team that went to the state tournament and we were 10-28 that year," Slagle said on that game with the Bison that the Cougars lost on a high chopper over the pitcher's head in extra innings.

"I remember the first year I took over, I didn't know much about the team. When we won 10 games, I didn't know what I would do. I knew I had to get it turned around and we turned the tide and got back on the winning end of things," said Slagle.

The team certainly did, en route to two straight state appearances, one title and 300 wins for the coach.

"It (300 wins) was nothing I ever thought of, to be honest. I just love the game of baseball and to be around the kids. ... I want to help the kids get better," said Slagle.

"Somebody brought it (career wins) up to me. They asked me where I was at. ... It was about two weeks ago I noticed it (win total). ... I said to our assistant coach, if we win the next two games, I think I'll win 300 games," Slagle said on how he noticed the milestone.

"I didn't even tell anybody, really. Some of the kids said how come you didn't let us know, but it didn't have anything to do with the game," he said.

But it was the pairing with Sentral that ended up putting the Corn Belt Conference rivals together for two straight state trips in the team's first two years of existence.

"The kids make the difference. When you get good kids (matched) with good kids, that made that work out all right," Slagle said on the transition.

"When coach (Mike) Elsbecker came over, we had all the pieces that fit the puzzle," he added.

The state championship season of 2008 resulted in 36 of Slagle's career wins.

"I'll never forget the (Class 1A state) semifinal game versus Iowa Mennonite where (Aaron) Siefken pitched (one hit over seven innings) and the state championship game (6-1 over Don Bosco) - it'll be right (up) there," Slagle said on his favorite memories.

"The 2007 team (that went to state), that was a very talented team. But the '08 team got it done," he said.

"I just love trying to help the kids out - I try to incorporate baseball into life situations. ... If you show up late for practice, there's a consequence. In real life, if you're late for work, there's a consequence," Slagle said on his favorite part of coaching.

But obviously, coaching is not all fun.

"When the seniors are gone and it's the last game. That last out, the game's over. You've got to say goodbye to that stage in your life.

"I'm around with those kids longer in the summer than my own family. At the end of the season, that takes a toll.

"There are always sweet victories and terrible losses. You take the good with the bad," he added.

Between SCMT, NK and NSK, Slagle has coached for some of the best prep programs in the state.

"I've had an opportunity to coach at places that love baseball," said Slagle.

But at the end of the day, Slagle eagerly admits he would not have any victories as a coach if not for his hundreds of talented players.

"I've been lucky enough to have good kids who've busted their tails. ... I've been so lucky to have had great kids. ... I always tell the kids before games to showcase your talent and I watch them go play," said Slagle.