Journal-News.com

HAMILTON — Badin High School wants its next head football coach to be in the building, though Athletic Director Sally Kocher won't say that's a must.

"It's very important," she said. "Would we turn away an absolutely great candidate because they can't teach? No."

Kocher said she's received seven applications to replace Dave Wirth, who accepted the head coaching position at Covington (Ky.) Catholic after five years at the Rams' helm.

Badin is taking applications until Friday, March 6. Kocher said Wirth's religion position is obviously available, and the school may have teaching openings in health and physical education. There also is a possibility in counseling.

Kocher confirmed that Bill Tenore, now in Augusta, Ga., is the only former Badin player to apply at this point.

Others have been mentioned as possible candidates. That group includes:

Larry Cox (Class of '82)

Cox, Lakota West's head coach for the last 12 years, said he has no plans to leave the program he started.

"Being the only coach at Lakota West ever, I take a lot of pride in watching this program grow, develop and turn into what I hope it will still become," Cox said.

"Although the Badin job is near and dear to my heart, I really love where I'm at," he added. "I'll try to help Badin any way I can."

Joel Lauer ('90)

Lauer has been the head coach at Madison for four seasons and said he's planning to stay for now, even though the idea of running the Badin program is enticing.

"At this point in my life, I've got to be concerned about taking care of my family," Lauer said. "If I felt comfortable financially doing it, I'd drop everything and do it. The biggest thing is the retirement."

He is keeping a close eye on the Badin search and hopes the school chooses wisely.

"The next guy that gets the job needs to have a strong personality," Lauer said. "That's how Terry Malone was. The old man always stood at the end of the hallway and ran the show. He was an authority figure and defined what Badin High School was all about. I hope the next guy has that piece of the puzzle.

"The good thing about Badin is that a lot of people care," he added.

Steve Malone ('98)

The son of Badin's coaching legend, Malone has been an assistant at his alma mater the last four years.

Malone isn't applying for the head job and said the issues involved with following his father have nothing to do with his decision.

"I'm really happy with where I'm at as far as a career," said Malone, who works at Matandy Steel in Hamilton. "There's just no way for me to be a head coach. But I 100 percent would like to remain at Badin in a coaching capacity."

Joe Schlager ('81)

Schlager has been an assistant at Middletown since 2001. He has a long collegiate coaching background that includes stops at Rockford, Kutztown, Thomas More, Morehead State, North Greenville Junior College, Austin Peay and Cumberland.

Schlager said he's undecided about applying for the Badin job, but said he's leaning against it.

"I think it's a damn good job," Schlager said. "I still think it has the best tradition out of any school in Butler County. I had such a positive experience playing high school football. If every kid could have as positive an experience as I've had and you could integrate that into a kid's life, that would be great."

Schlager supports Tenore's candidacy and coached him as a player at Thomas More, also coaching with him at TMC and Fenwick.

"Bill's teams are very well prepared and fundamentally sound," Schlager said. "He will maximize the potential of the football team. He has the energy for the job, and he's a good guy."

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2194 or rcassano@coxohio.com.