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He needs to move out the way. He's just preventing one of his younger assistants a great opportunity. Hello! Hello!
THOMSON --- Luther Welsh, Thomson High School's athletic director and head football coach, has decided to stay on "at least another year."
Welsh, 77, said he looks forward to returning to lead the Bulldogs in their quest to once again become competitive in football. The team finished with a 2-8 record last season -- his only losing season in 18 years at Thomson.
"I had a heart-to-heart talk with the principal and school superintendent about two weeks ago and I told them then that I would come back for at least another year," Welsh said Wednesday. "We talked about some issues and we reached some resolve."
Welsh was asked to return for another year by Principal Rudy Falana and Superintendent Jim LeBrun on behalf of McDuffie County school board members.
"I met with coach Welsh before Thanksgiving to let him know that the board and myself would like him to come back another year," LeBrun said. "The board and I believe that Luther Welsh is the right man for this job. We maintain confidence in his ability to get the Bulldogs back to a competitive level and hopefully championship caliber."
"I think it's wonderful that Luther is coming back to coach for another year," Falana said. "He's proven he's a great coach through the years. He's only had one losing season in almost 20 years; I'd say his record speaks for itself."
Welsh is 324-178-6 and has led the Bulldogs to three state championships (1984, 1985 and 2002).
Falana said one reason for the program's slump last season was that Thomson played in one of the toughest regions (3-AAA) in the state. Next year, the Bulldogs are scheduled to move into a 12-team, Augusta-based region.
Three weeks ago, Welsh said he wouldn't make a decision about his future until the Christmas break.
"I just decided to go ahead and make a decision and get it over with," he said.
He said he expects his coaching staff to return except for offensive coordinator Bobby Thomas, who was a community volunteer coach.
Reach Billy W. Hobbs at (706) 597-2335.
Comments
He needs to move out the way. He's just preventing one of his younger assistants a great opportunity. Hello! Hello!
After talking to several people cose to the program, I cant believe he's coming back for another season.
77 years old HOLDING UP A JOB for someone else who may can win a title for that high school. He's just in the way, I think he's trying to go out with a BANG it's not going to happen.
A bad year or so and it's the coaches problem. Every team cannot be a winner, somebody has to lose. Maybe there was not enough talent to have a winning season. While all people are created equal, some are created more equal than others. A coach cannot create winning talent if it is not present in his players.
Go get 'em coach. The job is not an easy one, take it from a guy who did it for 32 years!
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