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The coaching shuffle begins at local schools

The sidelines for a number of local high school sports teams will look a little different next year as the coaching shuffle has begun.

The most notable departure is Rodney Walker. Walker, the head football coach at Sandy Creek, will move to Mary Persons High School and will serve as their athletic director. Walker’s son, Chip, who has served as the offensive coordinator for Sandy Creek football team, will now be the head football coach. Another change at Sandy Creek is varsity girl’s basketball coach Jim Waller’s departure to Landmark Christian. Waller, who led the team to a region championship this year, will be replaced by Tara Ware, an assistant coach for Rome High School. Varsity boys basketball coach Darrell Evans will be an assistant principal at Sandy Creek next year and a coaching replacement for him has yet to be determined.

Starr’s Mill will have some coaching changes as well next year but, according to assistant principal Mike Davis, the Board of Education has not yet approved the hiring of the personnel who will replace them. Among the coaches who will be leaving their posts are wrestling coach Mickey Statham, swimming coach J.B. Campbell and cross country and track coach Renee Haugen. Statham and Campbell are pursuing advanced degrees and Haugen is moving to California.

The McIntosh’s boys basketball team will have a new coach next year as Duane Kelly leaves and is being replaced by Jason Eisele. Eisele was an assistant coach for the varsity team this year. Tennis coach Brett Hall will be replaced by Jane Karcz next year. Also, athletic director Marc Mickleboro will be moving to Whitewater High School to serve as an assistant principal and vocational director. He will be replaced at McIntosh by Steve Cole.

Fayette County’s girls basketball coach Edwin Turnipseed is returning to Mt. Zion, Jonesboro to be the head football coach. There is no word as of yet as to who his replacement will be.

While changes have been made at many of the local schools, the efforts of all the teams will be consistent as the players attempt to represent Fayette County well.