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FOR WAYNE – This is the follow-up story promised early last week concerning the naming of varsity football coaches in the Fort Wayne area. In that story seven days ago, I was told by reliable sources that the three schools involved (Northrop, Wayne, and North Side) without an officially named coach would have one after the Fort Wayne Community School Board Meeting held this past Monday night.
Unfortunately for the schools involved, and more yet the high school athletes, no final decisions were made. The reason – who knows for sure why final decisions were not made Monday night – but the shocking issue, was that that school board did not even get to it.
Local schools involved have been holding interviews much of the summer and names were submitted for approval by the FWCS’ human resources department. Evidently, it is not at the top of the school board’s agenda at this time. That translates into the schools involved not getting a decision for another two weeks (the next FWCS Meeting is scheduled for August 9).
According to the IHSAA fall sport’s schedule, girl’s golf starts Monday, August 2, while football two-a-days are scheduled to start this coming week, also.
Gone from the coaching ranks from last season are:
-Wayne’s Larry Getts (19-36 in 6th year at Fort Wayne Wayne);
-Northrop’s Greg Gehl (1-19 in 3rd year at Fort Wayne Northrop);
-North Side’s Casey Kolkman (7 years overall 27-34 and 5 years overall at North Side 26-24: he took over the Bluffton Tigers Football Program);
-Carroll’s Kirk Duncan (3 years overall and at school 9-21) left for a new career out of state; replaced by Doug Dinan (17 years as assistant coach at Snider).
-Heritage’s Steve Snodgrass (5 years overall 18-34 and 3 years at Heritage 10-12), who was replaced by veteran Heritage teacher and baseball coach Dean Lehrman (0-0 in 1st year at Heritage as head football coach).
-Concordia’s Dean Doerffler retired (replaced by Tim Mannigel).
-As for Northrop, they are still interviewing applicants for the football head coaching position.
At this point in time, rumors have Wayne hiring Elmhurst Coach Kyle Beauchamp, North Side hiring Ron Hall, and Mike Chevron keeping his job at South Side.
Other schools with new coaches on the sideline in 2010 are: Dean Lehrman at Heritage; Doug Dinan at Carroll; and Tim Mannigel at Concordia.
The big issue that has crossed the minds of many football fans is the question of the schools involved (without a coach): Will they be ready to put a solid product on the field come regular season time?
It is hopeful but more than likely doubtful. It has been some twenty five season’s since I roamed the football sidelines as a coach and I know for a fact that today’s offensive and defensive schemes are more complex, meaning that it takes time to install one’s offense, defense, and special teams playbooks.
I admire the men in these positions of uncertainty, but still wanting to coach football at their respective schools. Coaching is a tough enough job, but when the higher-ups handcuff the program, it becomes even tougher on those in charge and especially the youth under their command. Hopefully everyone involved in the decision process starts to realize these facts – after all, it is supposed to be about the kids.
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