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2:13 AM Sunday, December 18, 2011

By Jay Morrison

Staff Writer

OXFORD — Nearly 50 people have applied for the head football coaching position at Talawanda High School.

“We were really pleased with the number of applications that came in, and the quality was great as well,” THS Athletic Director Chris Weaver said. “We’re very happy with what we received.”

The interview process began last week and will continue this week. Weaver said he would like to have a new coach selected by the end of the week, but he isn’t going to rush things if a clear-cut favorite doesn’t emerge.

“A meal cooked in the oven is always better than a meal cooked in the microwave,” Weaver said. “This is an important position, and we have to get it right.”

Among the notable names on the list of applicants is former Ross head coach and current defensive coordinator Dick Ballard.

Other applicants with local ties include Talawanda assistant Wes Cole, Hamilton assistant Brad Watkins and New Miami assistant Carl Gural.

“We clearly want a coach who is able to come in and motivate kids,” Weaver said. “We have some kids who are not currently participating who we feel could be helping us on Friday nights. So we’re looking for an individual with strong leadership and motivational qualities, someone who can get these young men excited about Talawanda football again.”

The position opened Oct. 31 when Mike Wright resigned after seven seasons.

The new coach will inherit a program that won just 22 games under Wright, but there will be a fresh start across the board with a new school and new stadium set to open in the fall of 2012.

“I think those factors have a lot to do with the number of applications we received,” Weaver said. “We have a unique opportunity to capitalize not only on the transition to a turf field, but also to a new high school. We’re going into a new conference and we have a new superintendent. There are a lot of exciting things happening right now.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2193 or jmorrison@coxohio.com.

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