Experince is key to Lamar's coaching staff

By Staff
This is the second in a series of stories on the athletic departments at area high schools.
By Ryan Satcher / staff writer
July 30, 2004
As far as Lamar School head of school Doc Stephens is concerned, experience is a key when it comes to his school's athletic coaching staff.
Lamar lost a pair of coaches to other coaching positions this season as assistant football coach Jud Gartman left to become head coach at Clarkdale and Eddie Escobar left to take over the Meridian High soccer program, but the Raiders also added a couple of coaches that should help the program.
Larry Harms will fill the defensive coordinator position left open by Gartman's departure. Harms has over 30 years of high school experience and will help lead the Lamar defense this season.
Mac Barnes will continue to coach the Raider football program after leading the team to a MPSA Class AAA Division II State Championship last season.
Assistant coach William McNeil will also be back this season to help coach the line for the Raiders.
Mary McGraw and Jim Thompson will step in to replace Escobar in the girls' soccer program. Thompson will serve as the administrative coach and McGraw will join the program to do most of the on-field coaching.
The cross country and track programs at Lamar will receive a shot in the arm this season with the return of coach Ed Abdella to the staff. After missing last year's cross country season while serving in Iraq, Abdella has returned.
The basketball teams will also have the same coaches as last season. Tori Johnson will once again coach the girls while Steve Harber will coach the boys' team.
Shane Adams will be the coach for the baseball team for his third season. Barnes will lead the golf team and Johnson will be the head coach for the slow-pitch softball squad.
Kevin Gillette will coach the Lamar tennis team again this season.
Lamar is still in the process of filling the boys' soccer head coaching position.