Anderson boys – Departing Coach Jeff Howard (Interim)
(Updated 3/16) – Following the Phillip Washington situation at the end of last summer where he was arrested after being found asleep at the wheel, Coach Jeff Howard was promoted to interim. The Indians struggled through a 4-20 season including a 13 game losing skid to finish the season. Four seasons in a row have ended up in the red for the once proud program. Interim Jeff Howard’s name is in the mix as might be expected. Varsity Clubber also reports JV and VA coaches O’Neal and Aaron Boyd. Another report states Indians really only lose about 20 ppg from graduation of three seniors. However, he also points out this includes their two leading scorers. What returns is about 30 ppg spread pretty evenly over eight underclassmen, none of whom topped double figures. 6-3 sr-2-b forward JoMel Boyd is the best of the batch averaging 8ppg and 5rpg. Varsity Clubber insists no shortage of athleticism but only 3 assists per contest are expected for the entire returning roster so backcourt development will be key. Varsity Club member insists JV is beyond bad, and incoming coach should not expect help from their ranks. Some report points to a central office admin that truly relishes the responsibilities of being administration. This may not bode well for the internal candidates. Anderson is currently without teaching openings, but Varsity Club member anticipates big search with several phases and potentially a press conference-like announcement of new coach. “The bigger the better,” the report states, and that may point to a grandiose hire. Report also suggests that for the right candidate, a teaching gig will likely materialize. Without the Wigwam and the numbers that used to fill the halls of Anderson, the Indians’ job simply is not the premier destination it once was and finds itself in class basketball’s no-man’s land of small 4A’s.
