LITTLE ROCK — Doug Loughridge is trading the familiar black and gold of Charleston for the green and gold of Alma.
“It’s going to be a little different,” Loughridge said Monday night. “There’s a lot of Tigers, but there’s only one Airedale.”
Loughridge, 39, was named Alma’s new football coach Monday afternoon after going 68-9 in six seasons at Charleston, where he won two state championships at his alma mater.
Loughridge replaces Todd Dilbeck, who resigned Nov. 19 after guiding the Class 5A school to a 35-31-1 record the past six seasons.
Dilbeck cited family issues for his resignation, which is effective at the end of the 2012-2013 school year.
Charleston acted swiftly tofill its opening, promoting offensive coordinator Greg Kendrick during a regularly scheduled board meeting Monday night, Superintendent Jeff Stubblefield said.
“Our goal is to hopefully keep the program at the level it’s at,” Stubblefield said.
Alma needed less than a month to land Loughridge, who won five conference championships and Class 3A state championships in 2008 and 2011.
“Doug’s record speaks for itself,” said Mike McSpadden, Alma’s assistant superintendent and athletic director. “He’s also a great person - integrity, character, great work ethic. I’m excited.”
McSpadden said approximately 40 college and high school coaches from seven states inquired about the opening.
McSpadden said Alma initiated contact with Loughridge, adding he was on the school’s “short list” from the beginning of the search. Loughridge was one of three coaches who interviewed, McSpadden said.
Loughridge said he was offered the job Saturday afternoon and, after huddling with his family, accepted Sunday afternoon.
Loughridge said he wrestled with the decision because he graduated from Charleston in 1992, his parents still live in the Franklin County town and he’s leaving a team that will likely be favored to win the Class 3A state championship next fall.
But Loughridge also said one of his goals when he began coaching was to lead a large-school program.
“To get an opportunity to go to a school district like that is very, very flattering,” Loughridge said. “It was pretty much a no-brainer. Even all the Charleston faithful were very gracious in saying that they hated to see me go, but they clearly understood. Definitely, Alma has their own notoriety.”
Loughridge said he plans to talk with his new assistants this week but likely won’t formally meet his team until it returns from the Christmas break Jan. 3.
Stubblefield said he was disappointed to lose Loughridge but also understood the decision.
“I guess in my own egregious ways, of course, I wanted him forever, but I want Doug to be happy,” Stubblefield said. “He’s certainly earned the opportunity to move to a larger arena and we wish him the best.
“Somewhere in his soul he’s still black and gold, and I think he wants nothing but the best for our program as well.”
At a glance
DOUG LOUGHRIDGE
POSITION Head coach SCHOOL Alma AGE 39 CAREER COACHING RECORD 68-9 in six seasons at Charleston
NOTEWORTHY A 1992 Charleston graduate. ... Was a three-year football letterman at Charleston (1989-1991) and did not lose a conference game. ... Was an offensive lineman at Arkansas Tech. … 40-2 in conference games as Charleston’s coach, leading the Tigers to five conference championships. ... Led Charleston to the Class 3A state championship in 2008 and 2011. … Was the team’s defensive coordinator when Charleston won a state title in 2005. ... Former assistant at Ola, Russellville, Charleston and Fayetteville.
Sports, Pages 19 on 12/18/2012