MERRY HILL — Coach Jason Wynne is leaving the process that was building the Terra Ceia baseball program from the ground up for an already established system, one that also happens to be in the same conference as his former institution.

Three weeks after Lawrence Academy coach Robert Kravitz announced he would be taking over as Arendell Parrott Academy assistant athletic director and assistant baseball coach, Wynne saw the opening and jumped at the opportunity.

“I’ve always respected what coach Kravitz was able to accomplish there at Lawrence,” Wynne said. “They have a rich history with baseball and all their athletic programs. A legitimate college prep school that has accreditation, it was just a good opportunity. The door opened and it was one of those opportunities you just can’t let pass by.”

Under Wynne’s tutelage, Terra Ceia spent the last decade morphing from shorthanded irrelevance to a viable NCISAA 1-A playoff contender with healthy numbers. Riding the right arm of ace Austin Roscoe and a young group of small-ball-oriented players, the Knights finished above .500 for the first time in program history with a 15-6 record, earning their first playoff berth.

Their strong regular season earned them a No. 6 seed and a first-round matchup with Shannon Forest Christian School (S.C.). The Knights took a talented Crusaders team to extra innings, but fell in nine innings, 9-7.

“They worked their butt off last year and really put things together to strive for success and start believing in what they can do,” Wynne said of his former team. “I was proud of that fact, proud of what they were able to accomplish. I think they have a good foundation as well to work from … They definitely have their opportunity to make some noise this coming year.”

Wynne inherits a Warriors team that has chronicled 11 conference championships, over 260 wins and six state championships (2008-2013) in the last 11 years under Kravitz.

Lee Hoffman will take over the role of athletic director at Lawrence, while Wynne assumes the head coaching position for baseball and an assistant coaching position football.

“I’m hoping it’s more like when Jimmy Johnson came after Tom Landry, not like when Bill Russell came after Tommy Lasorda,” Wynne said. “I’m hoping to continue the success that they’ve had. It’s a young team with guys who have had some experience over the last couple of years. We’re looking forward to building on the things that coach Kravitz had in place.”

Among some of the young talent on Lawrence is Jarrett Harrell, a rising junior who earned Tarheel Independent Conference Player-of-the-Year accolades in 2015. In Kravitz’s final season at the helm, Lawrence finished 24-4, making it to the semi-finals of the 1-A playoff bracket.

“We wish Robert the best too,” Wynne said. “He’s going to Parrott Academy, a bigger school and a step up for him. I think he’ll enjoy some success there as well. The door opened at the right time for both of us.”

Wynne has previously held coaching positions at Bear Grass, Jamesville and Ayden-Grifton.