Laura Coleman is officially removing the interim tag from her title and will return in 2014 to coach the Live Oak girls volleyball team.
Though Coleman has been mulling over the decision since the season ended earlier this month, she announced to the team Thursday night at the end of the year banquet that she wanted to come back.
“The girls have already gone through so much trauma this year, that to not make this a continuous thing not would not be fair to them,” Coleman said.
Coleman took over the team on Oct. 9 on an interim basis after head coach James Uthes was removed after an off the court issue.
Coleman stepped down as Live Oak’s coach in 2010 after having stood at the helm for more than 15 years.
Part of her decision to return, she said, was because the Acorns were only losing four seniors from the team.
“Of the returners, 11 of them are juniors and sophomores,” Coleman said. “To make another coaching change would not be fair.”
The other part was the support of her husband.
“Without him, I wouldn’t have done it,” Coleman said. “We talked about it, and decided it wouldn’t be fair to the girls,” if she didn’t return.
Live Oak went 10-19 overall and 2-12 in the Mt. Hamilton Division.
Coleman said she will reevaluate after next year if she will return. She said it will depend on her energy level.
“I’ve got a good bunch of girls with great attitudes coming back and some good, strong athletes coming up from JV,” she said.
