Three Coaches Resign From McDonald County District

Rick Peck/Special to McDonald County Press Nick Martin, athletic director for the McDonald County School District, has been especially busy this spring. Martin said the best thing about coaching was his relationship with the kids.

Rick Peck/Special to McDonald County Press Nick Martin, athletic director for the McDonald County School District, has been especially busy this spring. Martin said the best thing about coaching was his relationship with the kids.

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Nick Martin, athletic director for the McDonald County School District, has been especially busy this spring.

In addition to his regular duties as athletic director, Martin coaches the Mustang baseball team. But a good bit of his time has also been spent on working to fill three head coaching vacancies, ironically one of those is his own job.

Also resigning from their positions are Blake Short from girls' basketball and Megan Thompson from volleyball.

Martin resigned from baseball last month after seven years at the helm of the baseball program, citing time and family considerations.

"I want to watch my son and daughter (Cole and Carlie) play a lot more than I have been able to," Martin said. "Being the A.D. for junior high and high school and also being a head coach is hard."

Martin said the best thing about coaching was his relationship with the kids.

"McDonald County has some of the best kids you can work with," Martin said. "They also work hard and never question anything you ask them to do."

Short, who served as girls' basketball head coach for five years after being an assistant for five years, said coaching at the school where he played was a great experience.

"I really enjoyed my time here coaching at my alma mater," Short said. "It was a great experience for me and one that I would not change for anything. I learned a lot at each level and gained valuable experience while also working with great kids."

Short also said his growing family was a major factor in his decision to resign.

"My future plans are to pursue other opportunities that work out better for my family and allow me to spend more time with them," Short said. "Family is the most important thing to me and any opportunity that allows me to spend more time with mine is one I want. That was the one and only factor in my decision."

Thompson has been with the volleyball program for two years, one as head coach and one as an assistant.

Changes in her family situation are expected about the time the 2018 volleyball season starts this fall.

"My title will be changing from volleyball coach to mom come August," Thompson said. "For now my plan will be to dedicate my time to raising our son and seeing where the Lord takes me from there."

Thompson said it will be hard to leave the program after being welcomed so warmly when she first came on board two years ago.

"I was blessed to have spent the last two years with the Lady Mustang volleyball program," Thompson said. "The young ladies were fantastic to work with. I want to thank the team for being supportive in my decision to retire. Their love and support have made my decision a little easier. I also want to thank my assistant coaches Emilee Sumler and Thomas Bruce, along with Nick Martin, for their support. I want to wish the team good luck and let them know I will be cheering for them."

Martin said he appreciates Short and Thompson for their dedication to their respective programs.

"Blake has been here 10 years and brought home a district title," Martin said. "I hope everything works out for him and his family in the future. I want to thank Megan for her time at MC. I really wish her the best of luck with her kiddo and time with her family."

Martin said he expects to have all three head coaching vacancies filled in the near future.

Sports on 05/10/2018