Decatur basketball: New head coach hired to head up teams
Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2008
DECATUR ó The Decatur basketball programs have a new leader ó again.
Former Lincoln assistant coach Donnie Smith became the new basketball coach for both Decatur basketball teams after Dan Garringer left the district for Mountainburg in early August.
Garringer, who was the head girls ícoach in 2007-08, was given the head coaching positions for both basketball teams when boysí coach Andrew Tencleve left Decatur in May to go to Cedarville.
Decatur was placed in fiscal distress at the beginning of the summer and was taken over by
Garringer, who has coached for 35 years, was convinced to delay his retirement and come to Decatur last summer by former Decatur superintendent Dave Smith.
Garringer said in early July he had a backup plan to go to Mountainburg in case Decatur was closed, but was planning on remaining with the Bulldogs if the school remained open.
Donnie Smith was hired on Aug. 7. Itís Smithís first head coaching position. Smith will be the head coach for six different teams: the boysíand girlsíseniorhigh, junior-high and seventhgrade teams. Smith said he learned about Garringer leaving Decatur, inquired about the open position and met with principal Bobby King.
ì I talked with Mr. King and he told me about the situation, about the finances, and that the state was in charge of them, î Smith said. ì He explained to me everything that went on and everything they had done to correct the situation. î
ì After talking to (King ) and talking to my superintendent, Frank Holman at Lincoln, I thought itíd be okay, a safe move. He offered me the position and I accepted it, î Smith said.
Smith had been an assistant football, basketball and track coach for the junior-high and senior-high programs at Lincoln for the last two years. Heíd also served as the townís athletic coordinator for youth sports, including pee-wee football, youth baseball and basketball.
Smith, 38, played sports for Viola in his high-school years. He got his bachelorís degree from the University of Arkansas.
The Bulldogs finished 12-15 last season, while the Lady Bulldogs struggled to a 1-24 mark but have All-Conference junior guard Kimmy Nelson returning.
The second day of school last Tuesday was Smithífirst real opportunity to hold practice, he said. ì Itíll be a challenge, but Iíve some kids that seem to have a pretty good work ethic, î Smith said. ì They seem to work hard. I believe that weíll really be able to compete at the junior high and senior high level. î
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