Tarr gambles on future after taking job with Chanel

The former Hubbard coach is now bound for state.

By STEVE RUMAN

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

When the Bedford Chanel High basketball team takes on Worthington Christian Thursday in a Division IV state semifinal contest, Chanel’s cheering section will include a sizable contingent of area fans.

And while most of those fans will not recognize the names or faces which make up the Chanel roster, they will recognize the man who is guiding the Firebirds’ fortunes. Coach Bernie Tarr, now in his eighth season at the school, is well-known throughout the local basketball community.

In fact, to suggest that Tarr has a few ties to the Mahoning Valley would be an understatement.

A Niles resident, Tarr attended Niles McKinley High for three years before transferring to Girard in 1985 at the start of his senior season.

Following a successful playing career, Tarr wasted no time evolving from player to coach. Right out of high school, he returned to St. Stephens in Niles, his elementary alma mater.

“It was there as a player where I first learned to love the game, and where I learned a great deal on how to run a program,” Tarr said. “My first coach, Billy Ruman, created a family atmosphere at St. Stephens. He established not just a basketball team, but a program. I wanted to return to carry on the tradition.

“To this day, I strive to do the same things I did at St. Stephens. I want everyone within the Chanel program to feel as though they belong to one big family.”

Assistant high school coaching jobs followed at Girard, Rayen and Chanel before Tarr landed his first head coaching position at Badger in 1994. After one year, Tarr left to coach at Hubbard, where he remained until 2000.

At Hubbard, Tarr turned a program that had struggled to succeed into a perennial winner.

“I had great, hard-working kids at Hubbard who were very committed to the game,” Tarr said. “I also learned early on that it’s important to surround yourself with good people, and I had some great assistants while I coached in the Valley, just as I do here at Chanel.”

As Tarr was preparing for his ninth season with the Eagles, he received a call from Chanel coach Greg Kraley, who informed Tarr that he was leaving the high school ranks to join the University of Akron coaching staff.

Kraley believed Tarr would be a perfect fit at Chanel.

“When I left Hubbard in October of 2000, a lot of people thought I got fired because I often seemed to be battling toe to toe with the board of education,” Tarr said. “Actually, I resigned and was released from my contract.

“I loved the kids at Hubbard, but I just felt the Chanel position was a special opportunity that might not come along again.”

Tarr also knew that accepting the Chanel job was a risky proposition. Not only was he replacing a legend — Kraley compiled a 246-73 record and led the Firebirds to state title in 1999 — but Tarr was also taking a chance on his career outside of basketball.

“At the time, Chanel didn’t have a position open within the school,” Tarr said. “I spent the first year there driving a produce truck in order to put food on the table. I didn’t know the difference between iceberg and romaine lettuce, but I did what I had to do because I felt that I had a great future in Bedford.”

Eight years later, the move has been rewarding to both Tarr and the Chanel faithful.

Under Tarr, Chanel has advanced to seven consecutive district final appearances, including four district titles. Thursday’s trip to the Final Four will be Tarr’s second at the school. In 2003, the Firebirds lost in the state semifinals to eventual state champion Cincinnati Reading.

Tarr owns a career record of 205-135. Off the court, he has since been employed by the school.

“We’ve enjoyed a great deal of success, but we believe that we still have a great deal of work to do,” Tarr said. “Once you get this close, you never know if you’re going to get another chance. Getting a second shot at state, I want to do everything within my power to give these kids the opportunity to earn a ring.”