The Palestine Herald
July 10, 2008 11:28 pm
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By SCOTT TYLER
H-P Sports Editor
Les Rhea called it an opportunity he could not pass up.
On Thursday, Rhea resigned as the head football coach at Frankston High School and took a position at Lindale ISD.
“I have family, including grandkids that are all over Lindale,” Rhea said. “I figured I better do it when I got the chance.
“I have been coaching for 30 years and I thought it was time to take a position where I can spend more time with my family.”
Rhea said he got a phone call from an administrator in Lindale Monday asking he if would be interested in a junior high coaching position and Rhea accepted.
“It is a good opportunity to be near my grandkids,” Rhea said.
Rhea leaves Frankston after spending four years on the Indian coaching staff. After being the defensive coordinator in 2004, Rhea took over as the head coach in 2005. After going 1-9 in his first year, Frankston nearly made the playoffs in 2006, finishing 7-3.
Last season, the Indians made the playoffs, falling to Elysian Fields 20-6 in the first round and finishing the season 9-2.
In his three years as a head coach, Rhea compiled a 17-14 record.
Frankston also was going to have high expectations this year with several returning players, including running back Ketrich Harmon, but Rhea made the decision to head to Lindale.
“It was a really tough decision,” Rhea said. “If it was not for the location I would not have been thinking about it.”
During the spring, when Rhea’s contract came up for renewal, the board had a split vote. Rhea’s contract was tabled and later renewed. The coach said the split vote had nothing to do with his decision to leave and take the position in Lindale.
“I had made up my mind to stay and all I would have considered was from Lindale,” Rhea said. “I had looked at some other positions but I was happy at Frankston.”
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Scott Tyler may be contacted via e-mail at styler@palestineherald.com
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