Sheridan seeking new basketball coach

THORNVILLE – Greg Booth cared more about his players than his record, and he won 46 times more than he lost in a five-year span as Sheridan's head boys basketball coach.

After announcing his resignation recently, he hopes that is something that resonates in fans' memories.

His team was 16-8 in 2014-15 with a senior-laden team that entered the season with high expectations. It proved to be an adversity test from the start, with injuries to key players making the season challenging from the outset.

"I just tried to relate to the kids the best I could," Booth said. "Maybe we didn't do as good job of a this year in that regard. It's easy to get focused on wins and losses, but I have to remain myself, and that's secondary.

"I'll remember the wins and losses, but I'll remember the relationships more."

Booth made it clear that lack of talent in the program wasn't among his reasons for resigning.

In fact, he's convinced that whomever is named the next coach will enjoy the talent to compete, citing a depth of up-and-comers throughout the program.

He finished with an 80-34 record, never winning less than 15 games. He won a Muskingum Valley League title in 2010-11 and coached one All-Ohioan in Jacob Horsley.

"There's no one single thing," Booth said. "Probably the biggest thing is I'm starting a grad program this summer and that's going to take up some time that otherwise would be spent with basketball."

But basketball played a role. He admitted that he needs to make strategic improvements as a coach, feeling he's stronger at handling player relationships.

He didn't rule out coaching once he handles other priorities.

"Maybe we had reached a ceiling under my direction," Booth said. "Hopefully someone will come in and taken them to the next level. And maybe I can use this as time to get better."

Sheridan athletic director Lance Dupler, who coached with Booth for three years, said they "had a great relationship." He specifically praised his work with the team in the offseason and individual player development.

"He's going to be missed," Dupler said.

Dupler said the search for a new coach will first be held internally before being posted to the public. He wasn't sure of a timetable.

Dupler and Booth are the school's only head boys basketball coaches since 1998.

"Obviously with basketball it's one of those things now where it's a year-round commitment, so we want to get someone in there soon," Dupler said. "Summer basketball will be starting before you know it."

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