Coaching changes that could cause chaos

Perry Central boys’ basketball coach Al Holland (shown at right in one of his seven Sweet Sixteen appearances) resigned this week so he could become coach at arch-rival Hazard. In some people’s minds, that’s like Rick Pitino going from Kentucky to Louisville, without the side trip to the Boston Celtics. (I doubt that the folks in Hazard like being cast in the role of U of L in this scenario.) Holland doesn’t see the move across town as that drastic because he has several lifelong friends in Hazard, but he does admit that “it’s always been a good rivalry.” And it’s sure to get even more heated now.

Holland’s job change prompted me to imagine what coaching switcheroos in the state might cause the most amazement and anguish among fans. Here’s a sampling. If you’ve got some you’d like to share, send them along.

• St. Xavier football coach Mike Glaser says ta-ta to the Tigers to become coach at Trinity.

• Trinity football coach Bob Beatty shoves off from the Shamrocks to become coach at St. X.

• Danville football coach Sam Harp jumps ship on the Admirals and climbs aboard at Boyle County.

• Pleasure Ridge Park basketball coach Dale Mabrey says adios to the Panthers to become a Fairdale Bulldog.

• Tates Creek baskeball coach Joe Pat Covington and Commodore football coach Mark Willoughby cause widespread apoplexy when they go as a package deal to Lexington Catholic.

• Mayfield football coach Joe Morris, who bleeds Cardinal red, twists everybody’s mind when he takes over at Paducah Tilghman’s Tornado.

• Highlands football coach Dale Mueller switches blue loyalties by going to Covington Catholic.

• Bell County football coach Dudley Hilton leaves the mountains and high-tails it north to Highlands.