The Houston High School boys basketball program is looking for a new head coach.
HHS director of athletics Brent Hall said Monday that Rod Gorman had taken a similar position at Bunker (southeast of Salem).
“There were no hard feelings or anything like that,” Hall said, “but he must have thought that was a better opportunity. I’m kind of disappointed and upset about it to say the least. It was a shock.”
Gorman coached the Tigers for four seasons. He began his 33-year high school coaching career in 1987 with a three-year stint at Bourbon, and then spent a year at Festus, five at Cape Central and 20 at Logan-Rogersville.
Under Gorman, Houston ended a 42-game losing streak against South Central Association opponents during the 2018-2019 campaign. Led by a whopping nine seniors, the Tigers took that to another level this past season by winning three times in conference play and finishing with a winning record for the first time in years (13-12).
“It seemed right at this time in my life to have a change,” Gorman said. “When I came here, I said I would see those guys through and leave things better than I found them. But you always get a feel for when it’s the right time and that’s where I’m at.
“I truly enjoyed my time in Houston and I have nothing negative to say about it. It’s a tough job, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good job. It has its challenges like they all do.”
Hall said the search for Gorman’s replacement is already under way in earnest.