2005 coaching changes


Group A

Region D

Coeburn - According to a May 12th article in the Coalfield Progress and a May 18th article in the Bristol Herald Courier, asst. Greg Mullins replaces new dad Bobby Sanders, who resigned in Feb. after 4 years (14-26).

The Pound grad. has only been at Coeburn a year and was an asst. at his alma mater in the late '90s.


Twin Springs - According to the Feb. 1st Scott Co. School Board online minutes, 2-year asst. Jody Wolfe was promoted to replace Frank 'Sarge' Reed, who resigned after 2 years (14-10).


Region C

Bland - According to an Aug. 2nd article in the Richlands News-Press, former Tazewell coach Harris Hart replaces Ed Clyburn, who's gone after a couple of 2-8 seasons.

Hart had a 27-46 record in 7 years with the Bulldogs (1997-2003).


Fort Chiswell - According to an April 14th story from Roanoke's WDBJ and a May 9th article in the Roanoke Times, Stephen James replaces Carroll Co. alum Doug Reavis, who resigned in Jan. after a couple of 4-6 seasons to join the staff at Emory & Henry, where he was a 2x Div. 3 All-American in the late '80s.

The Wythe (1989) & E&H grad has been the def. coord. at Marion the past 7 seasons and was an asst. at William Campbell in 1997 (pre-Brad Bradley).


John S. Battle - According to a May 25th article in the Bristol Herald Courier, Ohio native Dan Strong replaces Mike Posey, who resigned in February after 3 years (4-26).

Strong, who was passed over when Posey was hired, played his college ball at Wilmington (Ohio) College, including a year under head coach (and NAIA Hall of Famer) Bill Ramseyer and asst. Bruce Wasem before they left for Wise.


Lebanon - According to a Feb. 3rd article in the Bristol Herald Courier, alum. John Adams is back to replace 5 year vet. Phillip Henley (36-18), who resigned in December to become the elementary school principal.

Adams led the Pioneers from 1987-99 (110-41) after serving as an asst. for 9 years at his alma mater. He then had a 4 year stint at Va. High (12-29) before taking last season off.


Region B

Gretna - According to an April 20th article in the Chatham Star Tribune, Chris Thurman has been promoted to replace Robert Senseney, who resigned in Feb. after 3 years (36-4) and 2 state titles. A week later, the 2004 VHSCA Group AA Coach of the Year was named head coach at North Stafford.

Thurman was the Hawks' def. coord. for the past 3 seasons.


Madison Co. - According to a couple of non-archived articles from July in the Madison Co. Eagle, long-time asst. (and son) Stuart Dean replaces the legendary Eddie Dean, who resigned in March after 38 years (308-129-4, 69.8%). Dean took the Mountaineers to 8 title games (winning 3), and is the 2nd winningest coach in VHSL history, behind Hampton's Mike Smith (359 wins & counting), and just ahead of Radford's Norm Lineburg (305 & gaining).

The younger Dean had been an asst. for the past 12 years; dad will serve as a scout this season.


Region A

Mathews - According to a June 24th article in the Newport News Daily Progress and a June 29th article in Gloucester's Gazette Journal, former Hampton asst. Tony Carlson replaces Paul Scott White, who resigned in June after 1 year (5-6) to enter the private sector.

Carlson has been the Crabbers JV head coach the past 6 seasons.

B U T     W A I T

^^^ According to an Oct. 14th article in the Newport News Daily Press and a (non-archived) Oct. 19th article in the Gloucester-Mathews Gazette Journal, AD Al DeWitt replaced rookie Tony Carlson, who resigned the previous Thursday after an 0-5 start.

DeWitt was the Blue Devils head coach from 1979-86.


Northampton - According to a June 22th article in the Eastern Shore News, Garry Giddens, an alum from the early '70s, replaces Jim Conrow, who received a promotion to an admin. position after a total of 15 years as head football coach.

B U T     W A I T

^^^ According to a Sept. 28th article in the Eastern Shore News, rookie coach Garry Giddens has stepped down (as did asst. Joseph Ortelli, after a 1-3 start) and was replaced by former coach Conrow and asst. principal Tory Giddens.


^^^ King & Queen - John Fulks left (after about 2 years) for West Point. His replacement is either Mike Worrell or Michael Hill.


^^^ West Point - According to an August WPHS news-letter, John Fulks is the new head coach. I believe the King & Queen coach for about the previous 2 years took over for Mark Redden (3 years).


Group AA


Region IV

Abingdon - According to the March 21 Washington Co. School Board online minutes, Ray Gregory comes home to replace Scott Allen, a "new dad" who resigned last December after 6 years (25-36).

The much-traveled C. Ray has quite a bit of college coaching experience. The Patrick Henry & E&H ('86) grad. led the run-it-down-their-throats Southern Utah Thunderbirds (Div. 1-AA) to a 27-28 record from 1997-2001, but slipped to 1-10 in '02, leading to one-year stints as an asst. at Div. 3 Millsaps (which hosted E&H) & Hinds Community College, both in Mississippi.


Dan River - According to a Feb. 10th article in the Danville Register & Bee, and a Feb. 16th article in Chatham Star-Tribune, asst. Ryan Scolpini was promoted to replace Van Turner, whose contract was not renewed after two 1-9 seasons.

Scolpini is a 1994 Tunstall grad. and was the 'Cats softball coach.



Graham - With the sudden passing of Glenn Carlock (see numerous stories in the Bluefield Daily Telegraph), the Aug. 2nd Richlands News-Press says Dough Marrs is the interim coach (if they mean Doug, the Bluefield St. alum has been there since at least the early '80s).

Carlock was an asst. at cross-town rival Beaver before replacing Bob Hedrick in 1973. In 32 years as a head coach, he had an overall record of 244-119-1 (67%). He had a 26-18 post-season record with 2 state titles (1989 & 1995). His regular season record was 218-101-1 (68.3%), and 135-51-1 (72.5%) in the SWD. Since the Highlands split off in 1986, his record in the SWD was 52-18 (74.3%), with 9 outright crowns plus a tie for 1st in 2000.


^^^ Magna Vista - According to an Oct. 7th article in the Roanoke Times, Joe Beckelheimer had his coaching contract revoked last night and was given 2 weeks notice.

Coach B. had been charged with (and later found not guilty of) being drunk in public after police found his unoccupied car in the median of U.S. 58 on Sept. 18th. The team was informed on Sept. 23rd that he had been suspended from coaching. After learning in Dec. that he would not be back as head coach in '06, he accepted a position in Reidsville, NC (according to a Feb. 3rd article in the Martinsville Daily).

Assistant coach Rick Ramey was the interim coach for the games against Reidsville and GW-Danville, going 0-2. Asst. John Harris served as the interim coach the rest of the season, going 5-2.

The Warriors went 47-17 on the field during B's tenure, but had to forfeit all 11 wins from 2002 due to the use of an ineligible player. Coach B was also suspended (by school Super. Dodson) for the 2003 season-opening home loss vs. William Fleming because he knew he might be using an ineligible player in a 2002 playoff game. (His dad, a long-time head coach in WV, took charge that night). Therefore, his final coaching record should be 36-27.


Region III

Brookville - According to an April 28th report from WSET and an Aug. 19th story in the Altavista Journal, '97 alum Jeff Woody replaces Glenn Jenkins, who resigned after 3 years (12-19) to move into administration in Campbell Co.

The 2001 Hampden-Sydney grad has been a varsity asst. & JV head coach the past 2 years.
(Also see Menchville below)


Cave Spring - According to a July 14th article in the Roanoke Times, '84 alum & asst. Tim Fulton was promoted to replace Ben Foutz, who resigned in July after 6 years to work in the private sector.

Foutz's teams went 36-27 on the field, but they had to forfeit 6 wins in 2000 for using an ineligible player.


Some other familiar Region III names are in the NC section below.


Region II

Briar Woods - According to Feb. 9th and Feb. 16th articles in the Loudoun Times-Mirror, and a Feb. 17th article in the Loudoun Connection, Charlie Pierce moves over from Park View (Sterling) to become the Falcons first head coach. Pierce led the Patriots to a 44-12 mark over the past 5 seasons and lost to Salem in the 2000 Div. 4 title game, earning him the AP Group AA Coach of the Year honors.

Freedom - According to Feb. 9th and Feb. 16th articles in the Loudoun Times-Mirror, and a Feb. 17th article in the Loudoun Connection, Tom McIntyre, who spent the past 3 years as def. coord. at Loudoun Co. H.S., will be the Eagles first head coach. Mc was also head coach at Alleghany County from 1990-94 and has been in the business for over 30 years.

Both Briar Woods and Freedom will play a JV schedule in 2005 and a non-district varsity schedule in 2006.



Central (Woodstock/Quicksburg) - According to the Shenandoah Co. School Board online minutes from March 17th, Joe Livesay replaces Greg Hatfield, who resigned after about 5 years (? 26-26 ?) to take over at Fauquier.

Livesay, an '84 alum and asst. from 1993-2001, has been the assistant principal at Warren Co. Jr. High.


Fluvanna - According to a May 5th article in the Fluvanna Review and a May 5th non-archived article in the Central Virginian, Joel Gray replaces Thomas "Tap" Pace, who was was removed from his position last December after 13 years (about 59-53), and was later hired as an asst. at North Stafford.

Gray has 17 years coaching experience : about 7 years as an asst. to Mike Smith @ Hampton, head coach at Bluestone from around 1995 - 2002, and as an asst. the last 2 years @ Menchville (Newport News).


James Wood - According to a bunch of articles in the March 19th edition of the Winchester Star, the Colonels have taken a page from their history book and hired former coach Walter Barr, after a 35 year absence, to replace Steve Campbell, who resigned last December after 5 years (6-44).

In his last season at Wood, Barr led the Colonels to the 1970 Group AAA state title. Since then, he's coached at Shepherd U., Loudoun Co., Sherando (1994-97) and Shenandoah U.


Liberty - According to a July 26th article in the Fauquier Times-Democrat and a July 28th article in the Fauquier Citizen, Tommy Buzzo has added a familiar name to his staff - Tom Ferrell.

Ferrell, the head coach at county-rival Fauquier for the past 11 years (61-55), was an asst. coach at Bluefield (WV) when Buzzo played there in the early 80's.


Park View (Sterling) - According to a (now gone) April 14th article and an April 22nd article in the Loudoun Connection, an April 17th article in the Washington Post, and an April 19th article in the Loudoun Times-Mirror, Minnesotan Andy Hill replaces Charlie Pierce, who left in Feb. after 5 years (about 45-12) to become head coach at the new Briar Woods H.S.

Hill has been an asst. at Hill-Murray H.S. the past 3 years and was an asst. at Woodbury when they won the state title in 1998.


Rockbridge Co. - According to a May 4th article in the Rockbridge Weekly, and a non-archived May 5th article in the Lexington News-Gazette, 5-year asst. Jason White was promoted to replace Billy Mills, who resigned in March after 5 years (29-23) to take over at (less expensive, for now) AAA Dinwiddie.

The new dad has a lot in common with his predecessor. He came out of the Hogo. (Patrick Henry - 1995) and played for Lou Wacker (on the O-line) at E&H.


*** Spotswood - According to a Feb. 23rd article in Harrisonburg's Daily News-Record, asst. & alum Eric Phillips, the Trailblazers' def. coord. for the past 9 years, replaced Toby Peer, who resigned last December after 2 years (1-19).


Region I

*** Bluestone - According to a May 26th article in the Caswell (NC) Messenger, Ken Meadors has left NC for Skipworth. He'll replaces Joel Mays, who resigned after 2 years (2-18).

Meadors spent the last 2 years (2-20) at Bartlett Yancey (NC) after 15 years at Dan River.


Greensville Co. - According to a July 1st article in the Emporia Independent Messenger, asst. Randy Jessee replaces Bernard Griffin, who resigned after 2 years (15-6).

Jessee has yielded his baseball job, but will still coach the basketball team, which has only lost 9 games the past 3 seasons. He'll face powerhouses Gretna & Lafayette in the first 3 weeks.


King George - According to an April 6th article in the King George Journel Press, Bill Dignan becomes the 5th H.C. in 10 years for the Foxes, replacing Troy Robinson, who resigned last December after 3 years (3-27).

Dignan has been an asst. for 8 years, the past 2 at Dominion.


^^^ Park View (South Hill) - According to an Oct. 4th article in the South Hill Enterprise, Waverly Jackson is now the head coach of the Dragons.

Jackson, a PV alum (92-ish) and asst., was a lineman for Tech (93-96) and the Indy Colts (1998 - 2002). He replaces Wade Crutchfield.


AAA

Northwest Region

Mountain View - According to Jan. 12th articles in the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star and the Potomac News, Eric Cooke moves over from North Stafford to be the first head Wildcat.

Cooke compiled a 28-17 record in 4 years with the Wolverines, which went 13-1 last year and fell 9 points short of winning the Div. 5 title.


Culpeper Co. - According to March 18th and 20th articles in the Culpeper Star-Exponent, def. coord. Greg Martz was promoted to "interim head coach" to replace Randy Bove, who resigned in Jan. after 3 years (10-21) to look into a college job.

Martz, who played for Eddie Dean at Madison Co., has been an asst. at the school since 1999.


Fauquier - According to a Feb. 12th article in the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, and Feb. 10th (cached) and Feb. 17th (cached) articles in the Fauquier Citizen, Greg Hatfield leaves Central (Woodstock) to replace Tom Ferrell (61-55, 11 years), who resigned last Nov. The 1964 Welch alum was an asst. at Bluefield from the time he graduated from Concord in 1972 until 1987, when he followed Coach John Chmara to Fauquier, then replaced Chmara when he retired after the 1993 season. Ferrell later joined the Liberty staff (see above).

Hatfield, a 1989 alum of nearby Stafford High, was a 3x All-ODAC honoree & a Div. 3 All-American on the D-line at Hampden-Sydney in the early '90s. He was the AP 2003 Group A Coach of the Year, about 10 years after serving as an asst. at UVA-Wise. He went about 26-26 in about 5 years at Woodstock (different papers had different years and records).


Halifax Co. - According to March 16th articles in the South Boston Gazette-Virginian & the South Boston News & Record, John Lacy Harris has crossed the line to replace James Hodges, who resigned last December after 6 years (15-46).

Harris was head coach at neighboring Person Co. (NC) H.S. from 1986 - 2001 (102-75, 16 years), and was 9-4 against the Comets.


North Stafford - According to Feb. 23rd articles in the Free Lance-Star, Danville's Register-Bee and the Lynchburg News & Advance, Gretna's Robert Senseney replaces Eric Cooke, who resigned in January after 4 years (28-17) to become head coach at Stafford County's 5th high school, Mountain View.

Senseney was the VHSCA's 2004 Coach of the Year in Group AA and his Hawks won the past 2 Div. 3 crowns (going 28-0) with Vic Hall at QB. The Wolverines' only loss last year was a 35-27 setback in the Div. 5 state finals.


Patrick Henry (Roanoke) - According to an April 9th article in the Roanoke Times, Bob Gray replaces former interim coach Doug Ross (3-17), who resigned in Jan.

Gray, a Byrd grad., has been an asst. at Fleming for the last 3 years after being head coach at both Fieldale-Collinsville (1984-87, 9-31) & Staunton River (1994-2001, 27-55).


Potomac - According to June 21st articles in the Potomac News and the Washington Post, asst. Tony Lilly replaces Ben Stutler, who resigned a few days earlier after 4 years (25-18) for an admin. position at Battlefield.

Lilly, a 1980 Woodbridge grad., was an All-American at Florida and spent 4 years in Denver as a Broncos DB, where he made 2 Super Bowl appearences. He'd only been with the Panthers for 1 season, but was previously an asst. at his alma mater for 5 years and at West Potomac.


Northern Region

South County Secondary School - According to March 28th articles in the Fairfax Connection and the Washington Post, a March 29th article in the Washington (DC) Examiner, and a March 30th article in the Fairfax Times, the new school in the Lorton area of Fairfax Co. has picked former Oakton head coach Pete Bendorf to be the first coach of the Stallions.

Bendorf, who's been off the sidelines for 2 years (serving as A.D. at James Madison), went 63-54 in 11 years at Oakton (1992-2002) and took the Cougars to the Div. 6 finals in 2002, beating 3 previously undefeated teams along the way (incuding his brother Mark's James Robinson team that was the defending Div. 6 state champions.)


Chantilly - According to July 21st articles in the Washington (DC) Examiner, Fairfax Times and the Alexandria Gazette, def. coord. Mike Lalli replaces Marty Riddle, who resigned in July after an administrative disagreement (and one 0-10 season), according to the Washington (DC) Examiner, the Fairfax Concection and the Fairfax Times.

Lalli, an Alexandria native who played for Notre Dame, was previously a head coach at his alma mater (Bishop Ireton) for 4 years.


J.E.B. Stuart - According to a July 29th article in the Washington (DC) Examiner, asst. & head JV coach Bahai Ahmed replaces Vince Randazio, who resigned in mid-July after a couple of 2-8 years to become an assistant principal at Annandale.


Mount Vernon - According to a June 30th article in the Alexandria Gazette, Tom Glenn replaces Jody Stone, who resigned in May after 6 years (38-26) and is now the head coach of the JV team.

Glenn has been the O.C. at Hayfield, Lee & McLean, and was the head coach at Frederick Douglas H.S. in Maryland in the early '90s.


Eastern Region

Gloucester - According to an April 13th article in the Newport News Daily Press, Tommy Reamon replaces David Ward (1 season, 2-8).

Reamon was 51-40 in 9 years at Warwick and coached current NFL QB's Aaron Brooks & Michael Vick during his days at Homer Ferguson H.S., and both Vicks at Warwick. He's a member of the NJCAA Hall of Fame, had a speaking part ("...I can't stand needles") in "North Dallas Forty", played briefly in the NFL, and wrote "Rough Diamonds: A Coach's Journey". (Thanks to the Kansas City Star.)


Green Run - According to a June 17th article at matthewhatfield.com, Ray Gatlin takes over the Stallions.

Gatlin is a former Green Run, Salem and Landstown asst., and a Green Run alum (1995).

He replaces William "Bo" Ludwig, who resigned in Feb. after 4 after years (0-40), and will try to end the Stallions 51-game losing streak before they break the record of 53, held by Thomas Jefferson of Richmond.


Heritage (Newport News) - According to a June 21st Newport News Daily Press article posted on a Sportscombine page, Jason Robinson, who's been Bethel's off. coord. the past 3 seasons while teaching at Heritage, replaces John Quillen (8-12 last 2 years), who retired following the Warwick game in November. Quillen led the Hurricanes to the 2000 Div. 5 title.


^^^ I. C. Norcom - According to a Nov. 2nd article in the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, JV coach Stan Edmonds was named interim coach, replacing Dietrich Wise, who was dismissed after nearly 3 years (6-21).

Edmonds, an Indian River and Norfolk State alum, led the Greyhounds to a 3-0 finish.

It was reported in Dec. that the firing was because the team didn't shake hands after their game with Churchland.


Menchville - According to an April 21st article in the Newport News Daily Press (that's also posted on Brookville's Sportscombine page), John Byron replaces Don Mollenhauer (2-18), who resigned last Nov. after being outscored 407-29.

Byron spent the last 5 years as the Bees def. coord.


Princess Anne - According to a March 8th article in "The Page", Curtis Brown replaces Jimmy DiNardo, who resigned last December after 4 years (17-23).

Brown is a Kempsville & UNC grad who played for the Philadelphia Eagles in the mid '90s and was the def. coord. at Granby last year. He's also been an asst. at Lake Taylor & Kempsville.


Salem (Va. Beach) - According to a March 3rd article in the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, Robert Jackson replaces Vincent Pugh, who was fired in February after 2 years (5-15).

Jackson led the Bayside Marlins from 1998-2000 (26-8), finishing with 2 perfect regular season campaigns, then served as the first coach at Landstown for 2 years (8-12 or 9-11) before leaving for a position on the Norfolk State staff.


Warwick - According to a non-archived Jan. 15th article in the Newport News Daily Press, 14-year Phoebus asst./alum Stan Sexton replaces Tommy Reamon, who resigned in Dec. after 9 years (51-40), and later took over at Gloucester.


Central Region

Dinwiddie - According to a March 10th article in the Roanoke Times, a March 13th article in the Petersburg Progress-Index, and March 9th (non-archived) and March 16th articles in the Lexington News-Gazette, Chilhowie native Billy Mills replaces Nealan Chandler, who was relieved of his duties last Dec. after 2 years (3-17).

Mills' Rockbridge Co. Wildcats were 32-20 on the field over the past 5 years, but had to forfeit all 3 wins from their 2000 campaign. The E&H grad had also been an asst. at Holston (to 1990) and Northwood (from 1991), and head coach at North Laurel H.S. in London, Ky.


George Wythe - According to a July 13th article in the Richmond Times Dispatch, Fred Blanks has been promoted after 1 year as an asst. to replace Basil Hatcher, who resigned after an 0-9 season (although they later picked up a win by foreit).


Hanover - According to a (non-archived) Aug. 17th article in the Mechanicsville Local, def. coord. Josh Just replaces inaugural coach Michael Bishop, who resigned in late July after a couple of 1-9 seasons to look for an admin. position.


*** John Marshall - According to a August 13th article in the Richmond Times Dispatch, 6-year JV head coach Marvin Bridges makes the step up, replacing Darnell Wall (2-8), who went to Grambling St. as the D-line coach.


Mills Godwin - According to a March 29th article in the Richmond Times Dispatch, off. coord. Will Kitchen has been promoted to replace Ron Axselle, who stepped down last Nov. after 24 years (163-92-1). He had been the Tom Landry of Richmond, serving as the only head coach since the school opened in 1981.

The well-traveled Kitchen, who was also once an asst. to Bill Brown at Potomac, has been an asst. at Godwin since 2001.


Across the state lines :


Ky.

It was a busy Winter in neighboring Pike County, where 5 out of 6 high schools had to find replacements.

Belfry - A state title was Philip Haywood's ticket to a 22nd season with the Pirates. Everyone else was on the move.

East Ridge - According to a Feb. 9th article in the Appalachian News-Express, Eric Ratliff is back to replace Mike Davis, who resigned around January after a couple of 2-8 seasons. (The Ky. Post says he's taken over at Grant Co., but it also says he was 5-15).

Ratliff led the School of Philosophical Differences (the reason given for both previous coaching changes) to a 4-6 debut in 2002 before being fired in June of '03. He then served as def. coord. at Pikeville in '03 & at Shelby Valley in '04.

(And 2-year asst. Warren Mills (a Bell Co. alum) has left to become the new head coach at Berea.)



Phelps - According to a May 6th article in the Appalachian News-Express, Chris Hagerman apparently replaced Bill McKinney, who resigned Feb. 1st after 4 years (15-26).

The Garden & E&H grad was head coach at Lee in 2003 (not for 3 years, as the article says) and had previously worked as an asst. at East Ridge, Pike Central, Twin Valley & Garden, and as a G.A. at Div. III power Rowan. An official announcement was expected over the Summer, but never made it on-line.


Pike Co. Central - According to Feb. 27th articles in the Appalachian News-Express, Pikeville's Chris McNamee returns to Buckleys Creek to replace new dad Johnny Poynter, who resigned on February 2nd after three years (15-17) to "spend time with his newborn daughter". Poynter was later named head coach at Trimble Co., where he'll try to end Mike Genton's 25-game losing streak.

McNamee had a 14-17 record at Central from 1996-98 before returning to his alma mater, where he was an All-State Defensive Back.



Pikeville - According to March 25th articles in the Corbin Times Tribube, and the Appalachian News-Express, and a March 30th article in the Oldham Era, Corbin native Mike Jackson replaces alum Chris McNamee, who resigned in mid Feb. to re-take the reins on Buckleys Creek. Mac had returned to his alma mater from Central in 1999 as def. coord., but was promoted to head coach 2 weeks into the season when John Chapman resigned. He leaves with a 47-18 record in almost 6 full seasons with the Panthers.

Jackson went about 65-33 over the past 8 seasons at Oldham Co. (North of Louisville), and is a 2-time Class 4A Coach of the Year.

And circle Aug. 27th - that's when coach goes back home to face his alma mater in the 2nd game of the Cumberland Falls Pigskin Classic, right after his former team plays in the opener.



Shelby Valley - According to a March 18th article in the print edition of the Appalachian News-Express, Ben Howard replaces Greg Napier, who resigned January 26th after four years (15-28) because he had too much on his plate (he also coaches softball & he took over the girls' basketball position after Bobby Spears [399 career wins] was ousted by the players in mid-January).

The younger Howard was a QB at Pikeville a few years ago (aren't all coaches sons?) & later an asst. at Pikeville College.

Shelby Valley, part 2 - According to a July 27th article in the Appalachian News-Express, D-line coach Anthony Hampton replaces Howard, who resigned in July for personal (health) reasons.



Knott Co. Central - According to an April 29th "notebook" item in the Lexington Herald-Leader, Joe Beder replaces Don Smith, who was released after 2 years (4-16).

Beder was the head coach @ Leslie Co. in the late '90s (going 11-3 in his rookie campaign thanks to a Sr. named Tim Couch, then 14-28 the next 4 years), head coach at Hazard in 2002, and principal of Breathitt Co. H.S. last year.


Letcher Co. Central - According to a Jan. 7th article in the Appalachian News-Express, Whitesburg native Hillard Howard is 1st head coach for the Class 3A Cougars, which was formed by the consolidation of Whitesburg, Fleming-Neon & Letcher High Schools.

Howard racked up 211 wins in 19 years at Pikeville (1972-89, 1994) and led the Panthers to 3 consecutive state titles from 1987-89. Joining him as an asst. will be another Panther legend, Ed "Tiny" VanHoose.


Magoffin Co. - According to an Aug. 5th (paid) article in the Big Sandy News, Gerold Howard is now the head man in Salyersille. He replaces Dayne Brown, who resigned in April after 6 years (16-43).


North Laurel - According to a March 23rd article in the London Sentinel Echo, 6 year asst. David Abbott has been promoted from def. coord. to replace Greg Duncum, who resigned in Feb. after 5 years (20-32). Duncum has returned to his previous position as an asst. at his alma mater, Corbin.


Paintsville - According to a May 6th article in the Big Sandy News ($) and a May 7th story from WYMT, Mr. Everything, Bill Mike Runyon, replaces David Lemaster, who resigned in mid-April after 10 years (71-45) to concentrate on his Central Office duties.


Pineville - According to an April 29th article in the Middlesboro Daily News and a May 3rd article in the Harlan Daily, Tom Bryant replaces Tuck Woolum, who resigned in Dec. after 4 years (8-32).

Bryant is a Somerset native and has been the def. coord. at Trion (GA) the past 3 years. He was also head coach for Tusculum (1991-94, 15-24) & an asst. at Whitley Co., Cumberland College & Wofford.


Tenn.

Cosby - According to a Jan. 11th article in the Morristown Citizen Tribune and a Jan. 15th article in the Newport Plain Talk, the Eagles promoted 4-year asst. & 1994 alum Tyler Shelton to replace Darrell Miller, who resigned last Nov. after 2 years (3-18) to get into real estate.


*** Jellico - According to an August article in the LaFollette Press, Danny Oakes is now the top Devil.

Oakes has been an asst. and replaces Ronnie Lasley, who resigned 5 after years.


Oneida - According to a Jan. 13th article in the Oneida Independent Herald, Jim Birchfield replaces Jimmy May and Keith Henry after a 6 year absence.

Birchfield was the "chief" in 1998 and the def. coord. for the 1992 state championship team.


South Greene - According to a May 12th article at Greene County Online, asst. Shawn Jones replaces Larry Ricker, who was re-assigned to Camp Creek E.S.


Volunteer - According to March 8th articles in the Elizabethton Star, Kingsport Times-News, Johnson City Press and the Bristol Herald Courier, the Church Hill school has picked former Marion coach Scott Rider to replace Gene Venable, who resigned last December after 8 years (31-51).

Rider is an Elizabethton alum (1981), where he played for his dad, Dave (who also coached Tazewell in the 1960s & '70s), then went on to become a starter for Va. Tech in the early '80s. He was an asst. in Georgia before and after his stint in Marion (1995-97, I think). And his nephew, Jason Witten, plays for the Dallas Cowboys.


W.Va.

Oak Hill - According to a June 8th article in the Beckley Register-Herald , Toby Harris replaces Bob Workman, who resigned in May for health reasons after a 2-8 season.

Harris, a Meadow Bridge alum, spent 10 years as the first head coach at Greenbrier West, is their former principal, and was an asst. last season to McClung.


Shady Spring (AA) - According to a March 9th article in the Beckley Register-Herald, Vince Culicerto replaces Charlie Alls, who stepped down in January after 5 years (31-24).

Culicerto is a 1989 Woodrow Wilson (Beckley) grad and son of former WW coach Pete Culicerto. He's been an asst. with the Flying Eagles the past 6 years, serving as the varsity defensive backs & QB coach, and as the ninth-grade coach.


^^^ Summers Co. (WV) - According to a Sept. 15th post from Oak Hill's WOWK TV, asst. Stan Duncan has taken over for John Curia. Curia, who had heart bypass surgery earlier in the year, decided to remain as coach but stepped aside after the first game. Both men were coaches at Grundy in the mid 80's.


^^^ Tug Valley - According to an Oct. 10th article in the Charleston Gazette ($), the state hired Thomas Hoffman to replace Doug Ward, who left after 3 years.

^^^ TV - part 2 - According to an Oct. 25th article in the Charleston Gazette ($), long-time asst. Rodney Cline will replace Thomas Hoffman after winning a grievance (on Oct. 21st) he had filed with the state.

Cline coached the last 2 games of the Panthers 0-10 season.


^^^ Williamson - Basketball coach Curt Fletcher has stepped up after Tony Clusky resigned after 10 years to slide up 52 to become the AD at Tug Valley.


NC

Bartlett Yancey - According to an Aug. 10th article in the Caswell Messenger, Dennis Bannick is now the head Buc.

Bannick was head coach at Camden-Frontier (Mich.) the past 3 seasons, head coach at Arcadia (Ohio) from 1996-8, and an asst. at West Montgomery sometime before that. He replaces former Dan River coach Ken Meadors, who resigned in the Spring after 2 years (2-20) to move back to Va. to take over at Bluestone.


John Morehead - According to an April 13th article in the Eden Daily News and an April 22nd article in the Greensboro News & Record, Mickey Crouch is the new head coach in Eden.

Crouch came out of retirement last year and lead Lynchburg Christian Academy to a 12-0 mark. He's 103-57 in 13 seasons as a head coach, which included stints at Altavista and Amherst Co., where he won the Div. 4 title in 1995, beating Grundy & Salem along the way. Former Dan River & New Castle head coach Everett Woods is one of his assistants.



colleges

Emory & Henry will have a new football coach for the first time in over 20 years. The AP, WCYB, and the Bristol Herald Courier say Mount Union def. coordinator Don Montgomery is bringing his 27 years of sideline experience to Emory, replacing Lou Wacker (164-77, 88-31).


And a March 1st article in the Coalfield Progress says long-time Wasp asst. Dewey Lusk (a Christiansburg & E&H alum) is now the off. cord. for UVA-Wise.



Marshall University picked alum Mark Snyder to replace Beckley native Bob Pruett, who resigned in March. Pruett lead the Herd to a 94-23 mark over 9 years and racked up 5 consecutive bowl wins, 5 conference titles & Div. 1-AA national title in 1996.

Snyder had been an asst. at Ohio St. the past 4 years and will lead the Herd into their inaugural season as a member of Conference USA.


*** added after the season began
^^^ added after the season ended