Published: March 15, 2008 10:25 pm            

Southeast's Rogers calls it quits as head coach

Saying he no longer has the passion to lead the program, Tim Rogers has resigned as head boys basketball coach at Southeast.

Rogers served twice as the Raiders’ coach and had a 28-49 record over three seasons.

In 2004-05, Southeast posted a 17-8 record under Rogers. He stepped away at that time to spend more time with his family and Todd Cottrell coached the 2005-06 season, putting up an 11-14 record. Cottrell was only at Southeast one year and Rogers returned to the sidelines and had a 5-21 record in 2006-07 and a 6-20 mark in 2007-08.

“To be perfectly honest, being a head coach is not for me anymore,” the 32-year-old Rogers said Saturday. “A 28-49 record just doesn’t get it done. That’s not indicative of what Southeast basketball should be. Maybe the next coach can better that.”

One of Rogers’ assistant coaches, Scott Ramsey, will also leave the staff and devote his full energy to being the school’s athletic director.

“That was going to happen anyway,” Ramsey said. “I’ll just step away and be the AD.”

In his first stint as the Raiders’ coach, Rogers relied heavily on All-Area player Nick White, a 6-foot-4 inside force who averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds, to help the Raiders finish second in the sub-region.

Two years ago the Raiders had a solid nucleus that included seniors Isaiah Tibbs, Mart Stidmon and Ryan Hollingsworth, but it didn’t translate into success on the court. This past season the Raiders struggled from start to finish.

“I wasn’t able to give the program what it needed,” Rogers said of his second stint with the Raiders. “I think we can get this thing going again, give it some continuity, but I’m not the person for the job at this time. The passion isn’t there.”

Rogers said he doubts that he’ll coach again. His last official duties as coach will be at the Raiders’ basketball banquet on March 24.

In February, Southeast’s season ended with a 70-60 loss to Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe in the first round of the Region 7-4A tournament at Rome High School. The Raiders jumped out to a 16-5 first-quarter lead but found themselves trailing 23-20 after the Warriors’ 18-4 run. Southeast trailed, 29-27 at halftime.

According to LFO stats, the Warriors outrebounded the Raiders 23-5 in the second half and were able to overcome Alain Morales’ 26-point effort. Morales, a senior, was the Raiders’ main scoring threat thoughout the season.

“I told the guys when I met with them that nobody is bigger than the Southeast program, myself included,” Rogers said. “When I determined that I could not give the team what it needs, it was best that I step away. It’s as simple as that.”

Rogers plans to remain at Southeast as a social studies teacher.

“Tim feels at peace with his decision,” Ramsey said. “He stepped back into the job when we needed him after coach Cottrell quit, and we’ll move forward and get somebody in here who’ll take care of the kids just like Tim did. That’s our No. 1 priority.”

Now, Ramsey and principal Allan Long are looking for two head coaches to lead the boys basketball and football teams. Jon Lovingood recently resigned as football coach to take an assistant’s position at Trion High School.

        

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