Bailie will continue as assistant AD at Lakota East

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Lakota East head football coach Greg Bailie conducts practice in the auxiliary gym of Lakota East High School Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009 in Liberty Twp.

Gary Stelzer/file photo Lakota East head football coach Greg Bailie conducts practice in the auxiliary gym of Lakota East High School Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009 in Liberty Twp.

By Steven Matthews, Staff Writer Updated 9:51 AM Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Greg Bailie has stepped down as head football coach at Lakota East High School.

Bailie, 57, officially resigned from the post — one he has held since 1993 — on Tuesday morning, Nov. 17. He told the team later in the day of his resignation.

“It’s been a good place to work,” Bailie said. “Whoever the next guy is, is going to be happy here. With the way we finished the season (3-2 in the last five games), I think things are on the upward swing again. There is a good freshman class moving up. I think the future’s bright.”

Bailie was named the Lakota head football coach in 1993, then took over the East job when the school split in ’97.

He amassed 92 career victories, including a playoff appearance in 1995 with the Thunderbirds. Over the last four years, though, the Thunderhawks were 14-26. The went 3-7 this season.

“It was hard,” Bailie said of informing the team of the news. “But you’ve got to tell a kid he’s not starting this week or tell a guy he’s changing positions. It’s all part of the game. It’s difficult because it’s disappointing. But on the other hand, if you don’t want tough times, don’t do this. I’ve known that all along.”

Bailie also is in his 10th year as the assistant athletic director at East — a job he plans to continue doing.

Prior coaching stops for Bailie include Symmes Valley, Danville, Fredericktown, Toledo Central Catholic, Ohio State, Eastern Michigan and Kenyon College.

“He’s been a constant from Lakota to Lakota East,” first-year East AD Rich Bryant said. “He’s been a foundation here. He’s somebody everybody’s comfortable with, somebody everybody knows, somebody everybody can count on. This will impact the school greatly.”

While Bryant said the position will be posted next week, focus groups with parents, coaches and administration also will be created.

“I’m looking for somebody who’s had prior success,” Bryant said. “Someone who is focused on the team, focused on improving all aspects of the program, well-organized, with an academic focus. In the end, someone who will put our kids in the best possible position to be successful inside the school and on the field.”

Bryant planned to meet with the rest of the football coaching staff on Tuesday afternoon.

“No decisions on staffing have been made for next year,” Bryant said.

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You're wrong, Hawkman. The first thing coaches care about are their own families, and moving from a Catholic school to a public school is common because the retirement package is so much better. Obviously Ramsey is still pretty young, but it's never too early to start thinking about retirement.

Bill
1:54 PM, 11/19/2009

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Question of the day! Why does East need another assistant AD and where is the money coming from to pay his salary?

Jumbo
8:06 AM, 11/19/2009

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To Parent:
The first thing coaches are interested in is the ability to win games. Doug Ramsey is not going to leave a program like Elder to take a chance on someone else. He has won two state titles at Elder, was state runner-up last year and is among the final eight this year. The guy's a winner and intends to stay one.

HawkMan
1:29 PM, 11/18/2009

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The best coach in the GMC is Jason Krause. He was successful at Monroe and look at what he has done at Middletown in just two years. This guy's a catch. East should grab him before someone else does.

HawkMan
1:25 PM, 11/18/2009

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Greg Bailie is not only a fine coach but one of the finest men I have ever had the pleasure to meet. If he wants to stop coaching fine but don't say your excited to see the traffic role model and man of integrity not have the opportunity to touch young lives. That is the thing to judge on not winning or losing high school football game. You will be missed Coach.

trojan17
1:15 PM, 11/18/2009

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