Smith out after six matches with Indians (09/09/06)

FORT RECOVERY - The Brad Smith era is already over.

Less than two weeks after his first regular-season match as the Fort Recovery volleyball coach and barely more than three months since his hiring, Smith turned in his resignation Friday.

"Unfortunately, I have to leave the school for personal reasons," Smith said in a phone interview Friday night.

Smith would not elaborate on the reason for his resignation, but said he was disappointed he could not stay at the school and wished all of the Indian players the best of luck.

Fort Recovery principal David Warvel and athletics director Barb Sautbine confirmed Smith's resignation, but also chose not to elaborate on the subject.

Kim Pohlman, 27, who teaches fifth grade math and language arts in Fort Recovery, has agreed to take over the program for the remainder of the season.

Official action will be taken on Smith's resignation or Pohlman's hiring at Tuesday's regularly scheduled school board meeting.

"I just felt like, after I prayed about it, God was saying, 'Take it,' for some reason," said Pohlman after meeting with the team for the first time prior to Friday's practice. "I really can't believe I did, to be honest. My heart goes out to them."

Pohlman said despite the difficult situation, she hopes to create a positive atmosphere for the rest of the year.

"There are so many things that sports can teach people," she added. "I just remember the friendships I built through those times."

Smith was hired June 6 to replace Jackie Briscoe who resigned in March. He previously coached for two seasons at Gibsonburg and one at Patrick Henry.

He coached the first six Fort Recovery matches this year, but was not on the bench Thursday. Sautbine and former coach Maggie Hartings took over for the Tribe's three-game win over Minster.

Pohlman played volleyball, basketball and softball at Coldwater High School, and played and coached basketball at Wright State University's Lake Campus.

"She has some experience as a coach and she's really good with the kids," said Warvel. "She's a real good person and she does a great job with the students at Fort Recovery.

"She's a really positive person."

Fort Recovery has a talented group this year which has opened with a record of 5-2 overall and 2-0 in the Midwest Athletic Conference. The Indians also have a goal of reaching the state finals.

But Pohlman, who has not seen the team play this year, said the talent had nothing to do with her decision.

"I would have taken these kids if they were nothing," she said, "as long as they work hard.

"I want to finish this season so they can look back on it with a positive note regardless of where we end up in the tournament.

"I want to make this a good experience and I want to reach their potential athletically, whatever that is."

Pohlman said Briscoe, who coached the Tribe for four years, and others have already offered her help in making the transition. She will also lean heavily on the strong senior class of Tiff Gaerke, Abby Niekamp, Vicki Roessner, Lauren Wenning, Brittany Brackman and Rachel Stahl.

"They can bring a lot of leadership," said Pohlman. "It's their team."[[In-content Ad]]