Carson High's new girls basketball coach is, well, not so new.
Todd Ackerman, who suddenly resigned after this past season following a five-year stint, re-applied and was hired back to his old job earlier this week.
When Ackerman stepped down, he said one of the main reasons was that he didn't feel the program was where it needed to be. He also cited family reasons for his departure.
"My wife (Trish) and I were talking one day, and out of the blue she asked me if I still wanted to coach, and I said yes," Ackerman said. "Then she said I have to be nice to her. We talked about me taking care of things during basketball season."
Bob Bateman admitted that he was a bit surprised when the resignation first happened. When Ackerman showed up at Bateman's office last month, the Carson athletic director knew it wasn't a social call.
"The way he looked at me, he had that look in his eye," Bateman said. "I said, 'you want your job back don't you'."
Bateman said that since Ackerman had submitted an official letter of resignation, the school had to open up a search which drew six candidates, including JV coach Mike Berkich, former CHS player Melissa Schreiner, former CHS assistant Wayne Nash and CHS middle school coach Doug Whisler.
"I called all the other applicants and let them know that Todd had re-applied for his job," Bateman said. "I told them I would be objective, but I also wanted to be fair and let them know that up front. They all decided that if Todd wanted his job back, he should get it, but one of the candidates wanted to go through the interview process, anyway."
Bateman admitted that a couple of things factored into the process and selection. The first is that Ackerman was a teacher in the district and the second was that he left the position in good standing.
Bateman was asked if he is concerned that Ackerman could have another change of heart and step down after a year.
"Todd is four or five years away from retirement," Bateman said. "We'd love to see him finish his teaching and coaching career here."
"It's going to be a year-to-year thing," Ackerman said. "It will all depend on how things go."
Ackerman said he has talked to his returning varsity players, and no doubt last year's JV and freshman players know what is going on.
"I have some players in my classes," Ackerman said. "I've at least talked to the ones I know are coming back. We are going to be a very young team next year."
Ackerman lost six of his10 players to graduation, including leading scorer Eliza Matley and playmaker Emily Collins.
Coming back are post players Maddi Saarem and Cameron Seivers along with point guard Savannah Smith and reserve guard Megan Barrette.
Kayla Aikins and Gina Peacock were called up to varsity for the playoffs last year and would be strong candidates to play immediately. Another player to keep an eye on is Madison Preston, who starred on the freshman team.
Ackerman has retained two of his assistants for the upcoming season. Varsity assistant Nate Tolbert will be coming back as will Berkich to run the JV team. Ackerman indicated that Schreiner has agreed to work as a varsity assistant coach. Jim Bean is not returning as freshman coach, so Ackerman will be seeking somebody to fill that job.
