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June 17, 2012

Coaching carousel slows down as positions filled

By Kenton Brooks Phoenix Sports Writer

— Every year about this time, changes occur in the head coaching ranks and some of the movers and shakers so far this spring have included Gore and Eufaula.

Gore has two new head basketball coaches, officially hired earlier this week.

Sean Dandridge takes over the girls job, replacing Coey Tutwiler, who left to take the fastpitch softball and baseball jobs at Bray-Doyle. Dandridge coached boys at Mounds last season and was the head boys coach at Webbers Falls before that. He will also coach fastpitch and slowpitch softball at Gore.

Scott Roe moves in from Roff to take over the Pirates’ boys program and replaces Jordan Garner. Garner has left Gore after six seasons to become the girls head coach at Eufaula.

“It was time for a change. I had a great six years at Gore,” Garner, who has a 69-34 record, said. “I’ve got a daughter and I knew I would be a girls basketball coach some day. It just happened earlier than I thought.”

Garner replaces Jared Smith, who has become a teacher at Checotah High School.

Gore athletic director Beverly Robison is excited about the new coaches.

“Sean’s already been working with the girls and taking them to camps,” Robison said. “I think Scott will make a good impression on the boys. They’ll respond to him.”

Meanwhile, Hulbert has filled one basketball coaching vacancy.

Darren McCord steps in to take over as the boys coach, replacing Pat Dotson. Dotson resigned to become the ninth grade boys coach at Tahlequah. Earlier, Alicia Zodrow left the girls job and a replacement has yet to be named.

“It was agreed that it was best for the program that we make a change,” Brad Ferguson, the school’s principal and athletic director, said about Zodrow leaving.

Ferguson said the school board meets Monday night to discuss the opening.

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