Weatherford to coach baseball at Chesterfield next season
By David Shelton
Staff Writer
Chesterfield – After taking a break from coaching for one season, Chesterfield athletic director Jimmy Weatherford will be back in the dugout next spring.
Weatherford will resume his duties as head baseball coach at the school in 2011. The coach stepped down prior to last season for personal reasons but feels comfortable in returning.
“We had a tough thing happen with one of our children and he needed us so we took some time off to help him,” said Weatherford, who led Chesterfield to the class A state finals in 2009. “My wife (Cathy) took off as cheerleading coach as well and she will return this fall.
“I certainly missed coaching but my family comes first. It was something I had to do and I am glad I did it. Now things are better and I’m looking forward to being out there with the team again.”
Weatherford says Chris Lloyd, who coached the baseball team this past spring, will remain with the program as an assistant.
“Chris was put in a tough spot and did a good job,” said Weatherford. “He continues to be a very valuable part of the program.”
In his role as athletic director, Weatherford worked this summer to fill several open coaching positions for the coming school year.
Hired as the new varsity boy’s basketball coach is Jordan McCoy, who comes to Chesterfield from an assistant’s position at Rock Hill High School.
“Jordan is a young, energetic coach who will bring new life and excitement to the program,” said Weatherford. “He’s been coaching for a few years and he will do a good job here.”
Leigh Chewning will take over the volleyball program this fall. She was an assistant varsity and head junior varsity coach for the last three years.
Returning as the wrestling coach will be Will Gainey while Freddie Gaskins returns as the softball coach. Both coaches led their respective teams to state championships this past year.
Steve Taneyhill will return as the head football coach, having led the Rams program to three consecutive Class A Division I state championships.
Chris Clark will return as the girl’s basketball coach while Barry Brown will coach girls golf in the fall and boy’s golf in the spring. Lisa Smith is the cross country coach and works with the girls track coach in the spring.
Weatherford says he is proud of his coaching staff and their work ethic, even as monies are being cut due to the bad economy.
“Our staff has done a great job under tough times,” said Weatherford. “We’ve had a reduction in coaching supplements but we’re still working as hard as ever. Some of the things that we’ve been able to do for our kids in the past, we’ll have to cut back some. It will take a toll but we’ll continue to do the best we can.
“We have a great community and our fans still support us as best they can. We’re like every other small town in the state that’s experiencing these problems. We just have to work hard to be creative and stick together. We will get through all of this in time.”
