Coach ousted

Oldham County High School will have a new football coach next season.Head football coach Lonnie Oldham’s contract will not be renewed, but he will keep his position as a special education teacher at OCHS. “I am not recommending him to our superintendent to be our coach in 2008-09,” OCHS principal Dr. Dave Weedman said. “He is still a teacher at Oldham County. The coaching contract and teaching position are two different things.” OCHS Athletic Director Matt Watkins said the dismissal is a personnel issue and school officials cannot comment any further. “We can’t comment at this point and time due to possible legal issues,” Watkins said. Oldham issued a statement in a press release Tuesday. “Dr. Weedman made the decision not to renew my contract. That said, I would like to thank Oldham County High School for the opportunity to coach these last three years” Oldham said. “We remain confident we were moving forward, as evidenced by our playoff run this past season. Following the hard work required to accomplish such a feat, we were looking forward to next season with high hopes and expectations due to a great load of potential returning. We felt we had done the things we were asked to do and I regret the decision that was made, but thankful for the opportunity to serve as head coach. At this time, I need to remember what is important here, stating that God often closes doors and then, opens a window. The door at Oldham County has been closed, but I am assured a window has already opened somewhere else. It’s through the faith and hope I have, that positive things will come of this situation.” Weedman and Watkins met with the team Tuesday afternoon to inform them of the decision. Oldham, a former standout linebacker at OCHS, was a star on the Colonels’ undefeated 1985 team that fell to eventual state champion Christian County 6-0 in the state AAAA semifinals. The Colonels had their best season under Oldham this fall, posting a 5-8 record against one of the state’s toughest schedules. They came on strong in the playoffs to win the district championship before falling to Owensboro 14-6 in the regional finals. He came back to OCHS as the head coach in 2005 and the Colonels posted a 3-7 record. OCHS was 2-8 in 2006 under Oldham. Prior to OCHS, he was the head coach at Cincinnati Western Hills and at Louisville Seneca. He was selected as the state’s coach of the year in 2003 after his Seneca team went 10-2. He was also an assistant coach at Louisville’s St. X. Watkins said athletics officials are taking steps to ensure the Colonels get in spring practice. OCHS could have started spring practice Monday. “I am working on spring practice,” Watkins said. “Our goal is still to have that and to continue to improve our program. We have a week to work with and we are working to get that set up.” Watkins said the school would begin seeking a new coach immediately.

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