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  • Sam Terrell announced his resignation as head coach of Charlestown girls' basketball. Staff photo by C.E. Branham

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February 21, 2013

Terrell resigns as Charlestown girls’ coach

Former Pirate leader cites unrealistic expectations from parents as reason for departure

By GREG MENGELT greg.mengelt@newstribune.com

CHARLESTOWN — After three years as the Charlestown girls’ basketball coach, Sam Terrell has resigned his position on Wednesday due to the negativity of some team parents.

Following the ultra-successful tenure of Tony Hall, Terrell accrued a 17-46 record as the Charlestown head coach, although the young Pirates were 8-4 in their final 12 games in 2012-13.

“I have decided to resign due to the continuous attacks of a few parents who could not accept the positive direction in which the program was headed,” Terrell said. “I appreciate the select few parents who bought into our program and its goals, because I believe this ultimately led to the 8-4 record we had since Dec. 1.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sam Terrell for the time and energy he has invested into the girls’ basketball program at Charlestown High School over the past three years and wish him luck in his future endeavors,” Charlestown principal Mark Laughner said in a press release.

When asked about his specific complaints about the parents, Terrell said, “Some of the parents bought in and some didn’t. Some were blind to expectations and what was realistic. Others knew that [rebuilding the program] wasn’t going to be easy.”

Terrell, who helped lead Castle to the 2005-06 state championship as an assistant coach, took over at Charlestown just prior to the 2010-11 season. The Pirates dropped their first nine games and went 3-18 in Terrell’s initial season, then went 4-17 a year ago.

This season, Charlestown opened 3-8 before the strong finish. During a four-game winning streak, the Pirates beat Jeffersonville for the first time since 1993. They also won their last five Mid-Southern Conference games to finish the league slate with a winning record for the first time since 2006-07.

“The girls worked hard to get where they’re at,” Terrell praised. “I think they were making great strides.”

With a strong sophomore class, Charlestown is expected to ascend in the coming seasons.

“The sky’s the limit for this group,” Terrell said. “I really think they can do great things. Whoever comes here next season is going to be lucky. They will have a great group.”

Terrell said he thinks he has the ability to thrive as a head coach at another location.

“I still believe I can coach,” Terrell said. “I think I have the tools to make a basketball program successful. I feel God has given me the ability to do this.”

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