E.A. Sports Today

Yarbrough takes Lions’ reins

First-year assistant becomes head coach as Dawson lightens his load

Caleb McCord (10) reaches back to high-five Faith coach Brad Yarbrough after going for 39 against Ohatchee in a holiday tournament at Heflin this season. Yarbrough was just named the Lions' head coach.

Caleb McCord (10) reaches back to high-five Faith coach Brad Yarbrough after going for 39 against Ohatchee in a holiday tournament at Heflin this season. Yarbrough was just named the Lions’ head coach.

By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today

The Faith Christian boys basketball team is getting advice from a new coach these days as Brad Yarbrough has been handed the reins by Lions’ athletics director Bradley Dawson.

Dawson had been coaching the Faith boys and girls basketball teams, volleyball and softball teams and was getting spread a bit thin. He will continue to oversee the three girls’ sports.

With Dawson turning over the boys team to Yarbrough, his first-year assistant, Ohatchee’s Bryant Ginn and Jacksonville’s Ryan Chambless are the only coaches in Calhoun County overseeing both of their schools’ basketball teams.

“I was kind of relieved,” Dawson said. “I felt if Brad hadn’t come along I’d have kept it.

“I felt like I cheated the boys and the girls not giving them my full attention — and they need my full attention. There are things we need to do to take these programs to the next level. Now, we can divide and conquer and get done what we need to get done.”

Yarbrough was a standout player at Cleburne County. He played at Snead State, then finished his degree at Jacksonville State. He inherits a teams that loses two starters and returns Caleb McCord, Jordan Griswald and Logan Williamson.

“He talked to me a little bit about maybe letting it go, but it was a surprise to me,” Yarbrough said. “I didn’t know (becoming the Lions’ head coach) would happen as soon as it did. I thought maybe somewhere along the way it would come about.

“But when it did, it was something I was ready for. I prepared for it. It was something I dreamed about doing for a long time.”

You must be logged in to post a comment Login