Blaine Kellar
Innovation Academy of Robertson County has turned to a center faculty teaching veteran to fill one in every of its first highschool roles.
Sentinels principal Grant Bell confirmed to Major Avenue Preps final Friday that Frank Matherley would head up the varsity’s 8-man soccer program this fall.
“This dialog’s been on and off for some time so far as coming into the varsity,” Matherley mentioned. “Whether or not or not I used to be part of that dialog, I can’t say how far again that goes. I used to be simply lucky to have the ability to speak to (Grant) Bell and (assistant principal Warren) Corbin about it, and so they appeared to need me in that place.”
A trainer at Springfield Center throughout the final 10 years, Matherley mentioned he’s “coached slightly little bit of every part.”
He’s guided baseball packages for practically 15 seasons and has been concerned in center faculty basketball and volleyball in addition to soccer as an assistant. This season will probably be his first as a highschool head coach over any sport and his first time main a soccer staff.
“It’s an space I do know nicely, however due to the time it takes to (coach soccer), I’ve all the time not been in a position to dedicate a lot time,” he mentioned.
“In plenty of methods, it’s not that a lot completely different (from center faculty). It’s actually about instructing the children the ability, exhibiting them take that out and apply it and turn into good residents. I’ll change my thoughts, however to date that’s not a giant concern of mine.”
Matherley’s two sons, Cole and Gabe, each performed baseball and soccer at Greenbrier and went on to play collegiate sports activities. Cole spent three seasons on Cumberland’s baseball staff. Gabe is a sophomore enjoying golf at Freed-Hardeman.
The coach’s first staff at IA will function two offensive and defensive types as gamers turn into acclimated with the game: “We’ve acquired plenty of gamers which have by no means performed soccer on this staff. We’ve solely acquired a handful which have prior soccer expertise, so we’re fast-tracking plenty of children.”
His teaching workers consists of former Greenbrier Center Faculty coach Steve Weaver in addition to fellow Springfield Center coaches Amy Jones and James Francis.
Innovation Academy is a STEAM magnet faculty that can function out of Springfield’s former center faculty campus in the beginning of the varsity yr.
The Sentinels will subject bowling, cheerleading and 8-man soccer groups this yr, with the intention of shifting as much as the TSSAA degree for soccer after three seasons. They’ll play a six-game TSIAA schedule, together with contests in opposition to Robertson County foes in Christian Neighborhood and South Haven in September.
Former Jo Byrns golf coach Zach Saberton will lead the bowling staff, and Bridget Galbreath has been introduced as cheer coach.
“I consider we’re going to be aggressive,” Matherley mentioned. “We’ve acquired a very good group of youngsters that wish to play and are devoted and are arduous staff.
“Hopefully placing children on the sphere on Friday nights will assist the varsity solidify itself as a giant a part of the group. The group will probably be engaged, and we’ll be a college that the county can have recognition for, each academically and athletically.”
