Chavis Named Interim Head Coach For PG Softball

PRAIRIE GROVE — Assistant coach Katie Chavis has been named interim head coach for the Prairie Grove softball program, athletic director Joey Sorters confirmed by phone Thursday.

“As of right now the assistant coach (Chavis) is going to be the head coach for next year,” Sorters said. “Since it was so late in the summer it was hard to find a head coach.”

A decision by the Prairie Grove School Board not to renew Brandy Carte’s contract as head coach was announced July 10 in the aftermath of a six-hour special meeting that began the evening of Monday, July 9, and continued until around midnight according to Board President Shawn Shrum. Prairie Grove School Board unanimously voted to uphold an administration recommendation submitted by Sorters during the July 9 meeting not to renew Carte’s contract as head softball coach for the 2018-19 school year.

Carte was head coach for one year. According to Sorters her contract ended June 30. That, coupled with the hearing concerning her position as head coach not rendering a decision until July 10, Sorters said were factors in the decision to name Chavis interim head coach.

During the 2018 season, Prairie Grove went 6-16 overall and 4-6 in conference. Carte sat out a four-game suspension and as a result her record was 4-14 overall and 2-4 in conference. The Lady Tigers started the season 0-3. Then Carte was suspended four games following a loss to rival Farmington on March 6. To date, details have not been provided regarding Carte’s four-game suspension other than Shrum said it factored into the administration’s recommendation not to renew her coaching contract.

Chavis led the Lady Tigers to a 2-2 record during Carter’s four-game suspension. Chavis and Prairie Grove achieved the first win of the season by a 10-8 score at home over Gentry on March 8; and followed that up with an 11-0 victory against Huntsville at home March 9.

“She was a head coach before she came here,” Sorters said of Chavis, who previously coached at Watson’s Chapel. “So, it’s not her first coaching gig.”

MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER Katie Chavis, shown during a postgame meeting after a win over Huntsville on March 9, has been promoted from assistant to interim head coach.