Lions get new football coach
Meadowdale High School has turned to one of its own to revive its football program: John Wortham. He has been named to replace longtime Lions coach Bosie Miliner.
Wortham is a 1989 Meadowdale grad who played for former Lions coach Pat Masters. He also was an outstanding quarterback at Earlham College and was an assistant for Miliner for nine seasons.
Wortham was head coach of Ponitz Tech for its first two seasons. Last season Wortham was the quarterbacks coach at Trotwood-madison. His No. 1 pupil, senior QB Michael Simpson, helped lead the Rams to a 15-0 season and the Division II state championship.
He’ll have a ways to go to compete with Dunbar and Thurgood Marshall for City League supremacy, but that’s his goal. The Lions were 4-6 last season and 13-37 overall the last five years.
“It’s kind of weird, because I’m replacing the guy who hired me,” Wortham said.
“Meadowdale is a sleeping giant and nobody knows about it. There’s talent there. We’re going to cultivate and motivate that talent. We plan on being more competitive, specifically with Dunbar and Thurgood Marshall.”
He is at least the sixth new area head football coach to be named since last season, joining Steve Channell (Miamisburg), Scot Brewer (Troy), Chris Newman (West Carrollton), Dave “Doc” Amlin (Dayton Christian) and Eric Gillespie (Springfield).
Acts of kindness
What happened to Miamisburg junior center Austin Mccoy was tragic. But the end result has been a pleasant surprise.
Mccoy was struck in the face by a spectator three weeks ago during a game at Fairborn. He has since had a titanium plate inserted into his skull and is expected to make a full recovery.
He hopes to return to school today. The outpouring of support to the Mccoy family from both communities has helped ease the pain of that night.
Here’s what Austin’s dad Scott had to say after last Friday’s clutch 57-51 win at rival West Carrollton: “There has been a lot of positive. He’s been positive the whole time.”
Austin’s mother, Myra, said the same.
“This team is a family and when that happened I think most of the team took it harder than him,” she said.
“He inspires us. We’ve learned a lot from him. He’s a good kid. He’s got his head on straight and he’s got a great attitude.”