PERFECT FIT: Baker promoted to lead Canton girls soccer program
Annette Baker was hired in January to replace George Easter as the Canton girls soccer head coach.
Canton High School Athletic Director Tiffany Roberts didn’t have to look far to secure a replacement for girls soccer Head Coach George Easter, who resigned during the off-season due to a job conflict.
In January, Roberts selected Cobras varsity assistant and JV-A head coach Annette Baker to succeed Easter.
You’d have to look far and wide to discover a high school varsity-coaching transition smoother than the one the Cobras are about to experience.
Hired as an assistant by former Canton Head Coach Jeannine Reddy (now Northville’s head coach) prior to the 2020 season (which was ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic), Baker will provide a familiar presence for the Cobras’ returning players — some of whom have received coaching guidance from their “new” coach since they were in first grade.
Beyond excited for opportunity
“I’m very excited; I’m elated,” Baker said of her new head-coaching opportunity. “Once George knew he was going to have to step down, he told me he recommended me (to Roberts) to take over the program.
“My familiarity with the players — and them knowing my expectations and coaching style — is very important. I’ve coached some of this year’s seniors since they played premier soccer in elementary school, so that will cut down on the getting-to-know-each-other process.”
Baker is no stranger to the responsibilities that come with coaching varsity high school soccer.
Starting at the age of 22, she led the Plymouth Christian Academy girls soccer team from 2014 to 2019.
Local ties are strong
Baker was a standout player for PCA before transitioning into the Eagles’ coach. Upon graduating from high school, she played college soccer for Indiana Wesleyan University for three seasons before transferring to Madonna University before her senior season.
“Before my senior season at Indiana Wesleyan, my sister was undergoing a bone-marrow transplant, and I wanted to be closer to home for her,” said Baker, explaining the reason for her transfer.
Baker said her most-influential coaching mentor is Plymouth Reign Director of Coaching Miki Djerisilo, for whom she played for prior to moving away for college.
“I had opportunities to leave for other club teams when I was young, but I stayed with the Reign because I loved how Miki taught the sport,” Baker said. “I learned a lot from him, especially how to make the sport fun for the girls while focusing on winning, too.”
Bring it on!
Baker embraces the challenges that go along with coaching in the KLAA West Division, which is annually populated by state-ranked programs.
“Oh, yeah, I am,” she said. “You have to be prepared to play your best every single game because there are no easy opponents in this division.”
Baker’s family bleeds Canton red. Her husband, Collan, played soccer for Canton, as did two of his brothers.
“Getting this job is kind of like coming full circle, with Collan’s ties to Canton soccer and being able to coach girls I’ve known for several years,” she said.
Fitness entrepreneurs
Annette and Collan Baker own CrossFit Overthrow, a fitness business that opened Jan. 10, 2024, at 8014 Sheldon Center Road.
The Cobras return several key players from its ultra-successful 2024 season, during which they captured the P-CEP crown before advancing to the Division 1 district semifinals.
“We have a great group of young ladies who I’m excited to be working with,” Baker said.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
