Larry Allen
MIDDLETOWN — Could the next Middleotwn High School boys basketball coach have a shade a blue?
Former Hamilton High coach Larry Allen is among the latest group to apply for the Middies coaching vacancy.
Allen coached Big Blue for 19 years, 11 of them as head coach, and compiled a record of 163-91 while leading HHS to three Greater Miami Conference championships, five sectional titles, three district titles and the 2004 regional and state championships.
“I was born in Hamilton, played for Hamilton and one of my dreams was always to coach at Hamilton,” Allen said. “I was so thankful to do that, but coaching is coaching.
“I’ve always said there are three jobs in the state of Ohio anyone would want — Hamilton, Middletown and Canton McKinley,” he continued. “Middletown has some great athletes and I think it will be a great challenge and great situation for whomever gets the job.”
Allen resigned from the Hamilton post in 2008 citing health issues.
“Right now, I’ve dropped about 50 pounds and I’m more healthy than I have been in a while,” Allen said. “Coaching is in my blood. Even if I don’t get an interview, it’s exciting to think about it. It gets my blood boiling again and I think I have a few good years left.”
Allen is among 66 candidates that have applied to date.
“Larry is well respected in the coaching ranks and would be an excellent candidate for this position,” Middletown Athletic Director Gary Lebo said. “I appreciate the caliber of coach he is and what he could bring to our program and our athletes.”
Lebo said an undetermined number of candidates will be brought in sometime next week to be interviewed by the advisory committee. Members of that committee are Kevin L. Aldridge, Darrell Brown, student-athlete Mikey Brown, Ken Cohen, Lynn Darbyshire, Dr. Ken McDowell, Tim Parks, Don “Woody” Withrow and Darlene Wolfe.
“We are on our timeline and we are progressing as planned,” Lebo said. “It would be nice to have a person to recommend to our superintendent at the beginning of May because it is important for this person to get in here and begin working toward the summer.”
Other new applicants with head coaching experience include Andrew Meister (Newark Catholic), Shane Young (Brentwood, Tenn.), Lee Hood (University of Mount Union) and Jason Brown (Morgan).
Those with assistant coaching experience include Derek Robinson (Bourbon County, Ky.), Brett Prince (Newark Catholic), Chris Goggin (University of Cincinnati), Shawn Ransom (Lafayette), Brian Ansberry (Lakewood St. Edward), Rodrick Pierce (College of Mount St. Joseph), Mark Hyser (Canton McKinley), Reginald Hall (Edgewood) and Mitchell Gerycz (Walsh Jesuit).
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