Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 18, 1995 TAG: 9502220025
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Purdy, an assistant coach to Meredith for 23 years, will assume the head coaching duties at Botetourt next season, the school announced Friday. Meredith, 54, is retiring after coaching basketball for 27 seasons, the last 19 at Botetourt.
Purdy, 42, has head coaching experience with the girls' programs at Botetourt Intermediate and Lord Botetourt. He plans to continue as the girls' assistant coach at Lord Botetourt as he has the past two seasons.
Purdy, a Bassett native, has been an assistant to Meredith at Botetourt Intermediate and Lord Botetourt.
``The first time I met Don was when I graduated from college and came to interview for the job at Botetourt Intermediate,'' Purdy said. ``No doubt we had a lot of good times together. He impressed me with his knowledge and interest in basketball.
``He sort of reminded me of [Virgina Commonwealth coach] Sonny Smith, who coached me at Bassett. People ask me why I stayed with Don so long. It's because I enjoyed it. Don was always fair with his players and gave them a chance to play. He was a players' coach.''
Following Meredith won't be the only challenge.
``We're going to be in a rebuilding situation,'' Purdy said. ``I think we'll go with a lot of fundamentals. We're starting over because we're losing a lot of players.''
With Purdy around, Botetourt principal Jim Sledd said he saw no reason to begin a job search.
``Don recommends him and I value Don's opinion,'' Sledd said. ``I've watched Ed work and I feel he's very good.''
Miller's return as a wrestling coach was unexpected. He retired last year to devote all his time as an assistant principal at William Fleming. But Miller was forced into duties this week when head coach Doug DePuy was relieved of his duties in both wrestling and as a football assistant coach, Fleming principal Alyce Szathmary said.
According to several sources who wish not to be identified, DePuy used a student from another school in a meet last weekend at Salem. Fleming has reported the incident to the Virginia High School League, but no sanctions are expected.
Miller, who last month was named to replace Sherley Stuart as Fleming's head football coach next season after Stuart stepped down to devote his time to being the school's athletic director, was unavailable for comment.
Miller will coach wrestling through the tournaments and will be reunited with Herbie Kasey, a 135-pounder who is 22-0 this season and finished fourth in the Group AAA state tournament a year ago.
The RVD wrestling semifinals will begin at 1:30 p.m. with consolation finals at 6 p.m. and championship finals at 7:30.
by CNB