DATE: Friday, June 27, 1997                 TAG: 9706250152

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 14   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   41 lines

NEW GREAT BRIDGE COACH HAS AREA EXPERIENCE

The people who know Noble Palmer only as the Great Bridge softball coach don't really know Noble Palmer.

Palmer, who was named to head the Wildcats' football program last week, brings 27 years of gridiron experience, a familiarity with the styles of three of the Southeastern District's top coaches and the enthusiasm of a man who's just been handed his first whistle.

``Let's go!'' Palmer said. ``Let's get started and see what happens. I'm ready.''

Such enthusiasm should come in handy at Great Bridge, a one-time powerhouse but a perennial also-ran throughout most of the '90s. The Wildcats have managed just one winning season the past seven years and have just seven wins in their last 40 games.

``What sold me on Noble is the way he treats kids,'' Great Bridge principal Bob Robinson said. ``His dedication and commitment to kids in the classroom, on the softball field and now on the football field.''

Palmer replaces Dennis Meyers, who resigned after one season to move to Atlanta. Meyers' Wildcats went 1-9 last year and suffered a loss to Hickory, the first-year school comprised primarily of former Great Bridge students.

``I know there's a lot to do,'' Palmer said. ``Hopefully, I can come in and contribute something positive to the program.''

Palmer, 54, began his football coaching career in 1967 at Churchland Junior High. His resume also includes eight years as Western Branch's junior varsity coach, 14 years as an assistant and head coach at Northampton and four years, including last season, as a Great Bridge assistant.

In six seasons as a head coach at Northampton, Palmer's teams went 30-31-3.

During his stint with the Western Branch junior varsity, he was on the same staff as current Deep Creek coach Jerry Carter and current Western Branch coach Lew Johnston. He also coached against Indian River's Bob Parker, then the Churchland junior varsity coach.

Palmer, a science teacher at Great Bridge, said he will continue to coach the Wildcats in softball, a sport he has guided to one regional title and several district titles.

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