Tigers on prowl to find coach

In the words of Springfield High principal Dan Simcox, the Tigers are "getting ready to roll."
Simcox is referring to Springfield's search for a football coach, a position left vacant by the departure of Doug Phillips, who accepted the same position -- along with administrative duties -- at Salem High.
Next in line: The challenge for Springfield, especially at this part of the year, is filling its vacancy with someone with Phillips' qualities.
"It's tough to put into words," Springfield athletic director Jeff Dyer said of the impact left by Phillips' exodus. "He was not only involved in the football program, but he was involved in the community.
"It's a loss for our football program, the school system and the community," Dyer said. "Salem has really picked themselves a quality person."
Now, it will be up to Springfield to do the same.
The mandatory period for Springfield to post the position internally will end Thursday, said Dyer, who added that no one inside has shown any serious interest.
That, however, hasn't come as a surprise to Dyer.
He points to only two teachers considered to be qualified for the position, which may be filled in early May.
That leaves an outsider as the replacement for Phillips, who went 32-13 in four years at Springfield while leading it to the Division V regional final in 2000 and to the regional semifinal in 1999.
"We're hoping to get 20 applications, narrow it down to at least five and pick the top three and send them on to the superintendent [Debra Mettee]," said Dyer, who, along with Simcox, will handle the first round of interviews. "She will have the final say."
Experience factor: Ideally, Dyer said, Springfield would like to hire someone with head coaching experience or someone who has proven himself as a quality assistant coach.
But after what Phillips has established at Springfield -- the Tigers went 2-8 in his first year -- the position certainly seems like an attraction to prospective coaches.
"[The new coach] is stepping into a good program where the kids know what is needed to win," Simcox said.
"The football program and the school have a lot of community support. It's a job that a lot of people would like."
Dyer said, "The type of kid we have is one who is willing to dedicate. By looking at the last couple of years, not only do we have a great athletes, we have pretty good students."
The only teaching position currently available at Springfield is the one Phillips is vacating -- physical education instructor at the elementary, Simcox said.
Depending on salary issues and teaching positions available, "It may happen that the coach is a teacher in another system," Dyer said. "That is a likely possibility."
Switching gears: Ohio High School Athletic Association commissioner Clair Muscaro confirmed that he has received written documentation of LaBrae's recruiting allegation against Warren Harding.
LaBrae has accused Warren Harding of recruiting 6-foot-6 junior basketball player Shelby Chaney, who reportedly transferred to Harding last week.
"Now that we have something in writing, we'll determine what action will need to be taken," Muscaro said.
The OHSAA receives numerous complaints, many of which are "he said-she said" situations, Muscaro said.
"We'll determine whether this is something we just need to check with the schools involved," he said, "or if we're talking about something that we need to proceed with an outside investigator."
XBrian Richesson covers high school sports for The Vindicator.