Greg Bailie
LIBERTY TWP. — Greg Bailie is out as head football coach at Lakota East High School.
Bailie, 57, resigned from the post — one he has held since 1997 — on Tuesday, Nov. 17. No official reason was given for the resignation.
“It’s been a good place to work,” Bailie said. “Whoever the next guy is (he) is going to be happy here. With the way we finished the season (3-2 in their 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 between the two schools, including a playoff appearance in 1995 with the Thunderbirds. Over the last four years, though, the Thunderhawks were 14-26. They 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 position he plans to continue doing.
Prior coaching stops for Bailie were 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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