By By Robbie Robertson/The Meridian Star
Nov. 30, 2000
LIVINGSTON, Ala. The University of West Alabama may have a new football coach by the end of next week.
According to Athletic Director Dee Outlaw, five candidates were interviewed Wednesday and as many as four to five more are expected to be interviewed next week. Outlaw said a decision should be made by "mid-to-late next week."
The position became available when former coach Bobby Johns retired at the end of the season to join his wife, Karen, who was hired as the head softball coach at the University of Florida.
Included in the first group to be interviewed are four high school coaches and one college coordinator.
Locally, Patrician Academy coach Joe Nettles and Pickens Academy coach Lynn Wright interviewed for the job. Fayette County coach Walden Tucker and Escambia, Fla., High coach Ronnie Gilliland have also interviewed for the job. The lone college coach interviewed is Willie Slater, offensive coordinator at Jacksonville State which competes on the Division I-AA level.
Among the second group to be interviewed next week are four college coaches and one with head coaching experience.
Leading the way is Randy Pippin, who is head coach at Middle Georgia Community College. Current UWA defensive coordinator Tony Oglesby, Southern Arkansas assistant head coach Tommy Laurendine and Tennessee-Martin assistant head coach Jeff Richards will also interview for the job. Outlaw said another candidate might interview, but the appointment had not been confirmed yet.
Robbie Robertson is sports editor for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at rrobertson@themeridianstar.com.