Newport High School athletic director Gill James announced Tuesday morning that Brian Fischer has stepped down as the Knight’s baseball coach.

Fischer, who coached Newport for 15 years, led the Knights to state titles in 1997, 2001 and 2006. Newport made it to the Class 4A state semifinals last season.

The door has been open for Fischer to return in 2011, according to the school’s press release.

“I always appreciated Brian’s hard work and dedication to his sport,” James said in the release. “Newport not only won a lot of games, but more important they won them the right way. Coach Fischer has always had the highest expectations both on and off the field for players and coaches. You can never replace a coach like Brian Fischer.”

James announced Newport has hired current assistant Hal DeBerry to coach the Knights this spring.