By Marty Gordon
Blacksburg High School’s boys’ tennis team has been one of the most consistent programs in Southwest Virginia and the state, but it’s currently looking for a new coach to lead the team into the spring.
The tennis position has been open for more than 60 days with no real applicant.
The opening is similar throughout Montgomery County where six varsity and junior varsity teams are without coaches.
Blacksburg Middle School needs a boys’ soccer coach while Christiansburg Middle School needs a track coach for both boys and girls and the softball team.
Blacksburg also needs someone to lead the girls’ lacrosse program, and Christiansburg High School needs a boys’ soccer junior varsity coach.
Over at Radford, the school system is looking for a new girls’ varsity soccer coach.
The trend is happening nationwide where applicants for high school coaching jobs are few and far between.
Many of the individuals who stepped down from the coaching ranks have given several reasons for not wanting to coach. They include dealing with the COVID pandemic, the abuse by parents, and the lack of stipend pay. Instead, they prefer to just stay at home and watch from the sidelines.
Any potential coach interested in any of the area openings can go to the Montgomery County and/or Radford City school web sites to apply.