WARREN Arnold: Frank Bubba was an inspiration

Steve Arnold was selected to replace Bubba as Harding's basketball coach.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
WARREN -- The Warren Harding High athletic department didn't have to search very far when it came time to find a successor to the late Frank Bubba as varsity basketball coach.
Thursday, Harding athletic director Paul Trina announced that Steve Arnold, one of Bubba's varsity assistants, will be recommended as Bubba's replacement at Tuesday's Board of Education meeting.
"Obviously, I'm relieved and elated," said Arnold, 38, a 1982 graduate of Harding. "There's a lot of emotions that have taken place in the last couple months.
"I know that there were some great applicants who applied for the job," said Arnold, who has been helping to coach and work with youth for 15 years. "I feel blessed to be given this opportunity."
Trina said, "We feel we have a role model for our kids, somebody our community will rally around."
Candidates
Trina said that Garry Rowland, who took over as interim head coach after Bubba's death on Jan. 24, and Dan Bubon, another varsity assistant, were among the five candidates who applied.
"They are all quality people," Trina said. "If all three come back, we'd be ecstatic."
Arnold said he plans to speak to Rowland and Bubon about staying on with the program.
An employee of the Ohio Liquor Board of Control, Arnold played college ball at Ohio Dominican where he was a three-time team MVP.
"Steve has been a leader in our community for years," Trina said. "He has a sincere passion to be head coach. He's in our building just about every day with a mentorship program."
Trina said Arnold has been instrumental in helping Harding athletes secure college scholarships.
"Steve also has worked with the varsity football program," Trina said. "His familiarity with both programs will be a positive factor since many of our athletes are dual-sport athletes.
"He has a burning passion for youth in Warren and that was a big factor in his selection," Trina said.
Arnold said his willingness to volunteer is because "young people need a positive influence in their lives."
Bubba was an inspiration
Take Bubba, for example.
"He had lived with that disease [cystic fibrosis] for numerous years and every day he came to school, he was an inspiration," Arnold said. "He still is.
"Frank taught us how to treat people and that the game is not for us coaches -- it's for the kids."
In the past few years, Arnold has been Harding's freshman and junior varsity coach. He also worked one season with the Hubbard High varsity.
Arnold admits the job comes with high expectations. The team went 19-4 despite the turmoil of Bubba's death in midseason.
Harding will have three four-year starters returning this winter -- Michael Phillips, Prescott Burgess and Danny Stella.
"That's quite a three-headed monster right there," said Arnold referring to what he calls "our nucleus that's going to help our program."
williams@vindy.com