ARTICLE TOOLS
Text Size: A
A
A
A
Starr fired at Chattooga despite ranking, 3-1 mark
Included in this article
Chattooga High School football coach John Starr was relieved of his coaching duties Saturday morning, a move that caught the program’s leader of 11 years by surprise.
“I didn’t see it coming,” Starr was quoted in a story on the Rome News-Tribune Web site.
His Indians were upset by Armuchee Friday night, 15-14. The Summerville, Ga., team had won its first three games and is No. 10 in the Class AA state rankings.
Starr, who compiled a 67-54 record, took Chattooga to six playoff appearances. He had won a state title as the head coach at Josey High School.
Ridgeland coach Mark Mariakis, who used to be Chattooga’s defensive coordinator, has remained close to Starr and was speaking with him on the phone Saturday when Chattooga principal Morgan Nugent called.
“Coach Starr was asked to meet with the principal, and he called me back later and said he was fired,” Mariakis said. “All he was told was they were going in a different direction. I’m still close to a lot of the guys on that staff, and they’re all in shock that this happened in the middle of the season.
“I have no idea what happened, but I do know that that guy loves kids and he does more for kids than anybody I know. He taught me more about how to deal with kids than anyone else I’ve known in 25 years of coaching. He won’t be out of a job for long.”
According to the News-Tribune Web story, Nugent named first-year athletic director Jim Lenderman the interim head coach. The school will begin the search for a new coach after the season.
Attempts to reach Starr were unsuccessful Saturday afternoon.
Share This...
These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
del.icio.us
digg
Furl
YahooMyWeb
co.mments
Ma.gnolia
blogmarks
BlinkList
NewsVine
scuttle
Fark
This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Chattanooga Publishing Company, Inc.
Comments
Coach John Starr is a great coach and an even better man. He did so much for the kids that it is unreal. Eleven years of young men consider him a father figure. This will set well with none of them. He took a horrible program and made it into one that won seven or more each year. He has character, won state championships and stood up to board members who pressured him to do there will. Fat cat board members made a long term decision to get their revenge. You will not find an assistant, player or many booster members happy with this. Bad move. You will see this program dwindle down to nothing for the happiness of a few men. It is like Ole Miss firing a ten win David Cutcliff saying we are headed to the next level and not winning more than three the next three years. Bad move Chattoga.
0 of 0 people found this comment useful.
Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.