By By Richard Dark/The Meridian Star
Jan. 9, 2001
Going out on his own terms.
That was the underlying theme behind Monday's retirement announcement by Meridian High's current Athletic Director and former head football coach Mac Barnes. He spoke kindly of the many friends that would be missed in his professed "second family."
But while the day signaled the ending of one phase of Barnes' professional life, it could very well mark the beginning of another. Barnes didn't shy away from the fact that he is currently in negotiations with Lamar School concerning its vacancies.
But the coach, whose last state crown came in 1990, also said he missed coaching.
He did stop short of saying he would be the next football coach of a Raider program in dire need of repair.
Barnes said the past week hasn't been emotional or hard.
Richard Dark is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at rdark@themeridianstar.com.