Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 12, 1992 TAG: 9203120060
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Charlie Hammes was head coach of the Roanoke Valley District school from 1965 through 1985. Little took over from Hammes and stayed until last month, when he became athletic director at Franklin County.
"It was a long process and we had a lot of good applicants from all over the state," Cave Spring principal Bob Lipscomb said. "We considered all of them and, ultimately, it came down to Steve."
Spangler found out Wednesday morning that he had won out over Bayside's Bill King, a native of Radford who had guided the Marlins to their first Group AAA playoff berth last fall. King withdrew his name from the running Tuesday because of family considerations and removed any decision the Roanoke County School Board might have had to make between the applicants.
The Cave Spring job is "another step on the ladder," Spangler said. "I started at the junior high [Hidden Valley] and I'm working my way up."
It will be a big spring for Spangler. He and his wife, Amy, are expecting the couple's first child in May. Now, after having not played football in college, Spangler has stepped up from his spot as a three-year assistant to Little. He coached the running backs and linebackers last season.
"I don't have a colorful background," Spangler said. "I just try to work hard. It was [the county's] decision and I'm fortunate they decided to give me the job."
Spangler's record for six years at Hidden Valley was 28-7-6. His past two teams were unbeaten. Tiki and Ronde Barber, returning All-Timesland players who should be highly recruited this fall as Cave Spring seniors, played for Spangler as eighth-graders.
"They weren't starters, but they got to play at least half of every game because we were always well ahead of everyone," Spangler said of the Barbers. "That eighth-grade group got a lot of playing time."
Spangler plans to sit down with his remaining assistants, Don Oakes and Ken Erickson, to make plans. He will be allowed to add one assistant. A second one might be needed because Erickson has applied for the Franklin County opening.
"We're going to discuss what we want to do as a group," Spangler said. "This whole venture I'm about to embark on is as a group. It's a we thing and we're going to make decisions [jointly]."
Spangler, 34, a native of Syracuse, N.Y., attended Slippery Rock (Pa.) State and was a member of the track team. He coaches wrestling and will continue to do so for at least one more year.
\ James River has selected Randolph Howard to succeed John Shotwell as its boys' basketball coach. Shotwell retired last week after his team reached the Region C semifinals. Shotwell won 421 games in a 31-year career as the Knights' coach. He will continue as the school's golf and softball coach.
"It's my understanding that Randolph Howard was approved by the [Botetourt County] school board as the new coach," said Colby Trammell, James River athletic director and assistant principal.
Howard started the James River baseball program as the head coach in 1971. He also has served as the school's football coach. This year, he was an assistant in girls' basketball and a boys' junior varsity coach. He also is the Knights' baseball coach.
***CORRECTION***
Published correction ran on March 13, 1992.
Cave Spring High School has had four football coaches in its history, but only three in the past 26 years. A headline in Thursday's sports section indicated Cave Spring had three coaches in its history.
Memo: CORRECTION