Eaton steps down as Tigers head coach
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha and Rory Ryan-
McClain head boys varsity basketball coach Brent Eaton has officially resigned as head coach this week, leaving the top post at MHS after four seasons, taking an education position in his hometown of Wheelersburg.
Eaton will serve as an aide to the Wheelersburg Middle School principal and work in the athletic department, as he and his wife Natalie (a former MHS swimming coach) were offered positions in the school district.
"The biggest reason for the change is my family," Eaton told The Highland County Press. "I'll be closer to my mom, brother and nieces. My family lives in Wheelersburg, and this is a great opportunity for my family."
Greenfield Exempted Village Schools Superintendent Terry Fouch spoke about Eaton's service to the school the past 12 years.
"We greatly appreciate all the work Mr. Eaton has done here, as well as his wife, Natalie, who's been a teacher and swim team coach," Fouch said.
The former MHS head coach spoke about his love of the community.
"The biggest thing I love about Greenfield is the community," he said. "There are great people here, and the relationships I have made will stand."
Eaton, who was also an athletic director for one year at McClain High School, replaced Hall of Fame head coach Rick VanMatre (28 years), for whom he was an assistant coach for eight seasons. Eaton leaves McClain with an overall mark of 37-49 through four years.
"I've spent 12 great years here," Eaton said. "But in teaching, the complete package doesn't come around too often, so I have to make the move."
His best record was in his first season with a mark of 12-8, followed by seasons of 9-12, 6-16 and 10-13 overall.
"I learned so much from Rick and the many assistants on the coaching staff," Eaton said. "He provided me with leadership, and the administration here also provided great roles.
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"Again, I can't express how much of a wonderful experience the last 12 years have been."
Eaton played high school basketball at Wheelersburg High School from 1994-97, where he played in a state championship game during the 1995 season. After graduating from high school, Eaton attended college at Mount Union, where he played basketball at the point guard position upon graduation in 2001.
Though he's going into a great situation for his family, Eaton said the decision wasn't a quick or easy one, and as he stated earlier, he's going to miss the people of Greenfield.
"The hardest thing with change is leaving people," he said. "It was a really difficult decision for me and my wife because this has been home for 12 years. I've been blessed to coach quality young men here, and I'll shed many tears leaving my team and Greenfield behind.
"The lessons we've learned together … I hope all of us can use them for the rest of our lives. This decision took weeks of really thinking about the pros and cons."
Eaton said he just wanted to say thanks.
"I want to just thank those who helped us make this tough decision and to those who have supported me throughout the years," he said. "Greenfield is a special place. I've made a lot of memories.
"One thing I'll always remember is being around this tradition at MHS. I've had many welcoming experiences here, whether it be watching Danté (Jackson) play and seeing people fight for tickets. Seeing the girls basketball team reach regionals … seeing the kids have a lot of success, that's tough to leave behind."
Eaton had one final comment.
"Regardless of where I was born and raised, Greenfield will always be home to my wife and me. I wish the team the best, and go Tigers."
Eaton will serve as an aide to the Wheelersburg Middle School principal and work in the athletic department, as he and his wife Natalie (a former MHS swimming coach) were offered positions in the school district.
"The biggest reason for the change is my family," Eaton told The Highland County Press. "I'll be closer to my mom, brother and nieces. My family lives in Wheelersburg, and this is a great opportunity for my family."
Greenfield Exempted Village Schools Superintendent Terry Fouch spoke about Eaton's service to the school the past 12 years.
"We greatly appreciate all the work Mr. Eaton has done here, as well as his wife, Natalie, who's been a teacher and swim team coach," Fouch said.
The former MHS head coach spoke about his love of the community.
"The biggest thing I love about Greenfield is the community," he said. "There are great people here, and the relationships I have made will stand."
Eaton, who was also an athletic director for one year at McClain High School, replaced Hall of Fame head coach Rick VanMatre (28 years), for whom he was an assistant coach for eight seasons. Eaton leaves McClain with an overall mark of 37-49 through four years.
"I've spent 12 great years here," Eaton said. "But in teaching, the complete package doesn't come around too often, so I have to make the move."
His best record was in his first season with a mark of 12-8, followed by seasons of 9-12, 6-16 and 10-13 overall.
"I learned so much from Rick and the many assistants on the coaching staff," Eaton said. "He provided me with leadership, and the administration here also provided great roles.
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"Again, I can't express how much of a wonderful experience the last 12 years have been."
Eaton played high school basketball at Wheelersburg High School from 1994-97, where he played in a state championship game during the 1995 season. After graduating from high school, Eaton attended college at Mount Union, where he played basketball at the point guard position upon graduation in 2001.
Though he's going into a great situation for his family, Eaton said the decision wasn't a quick or easy one, and as he stated earlier, he's going to miss the people of Greenfield.
"The hardest thing with change is leaving people," he said. "It was a really difficult decision for me and my wife because this has been home for 12 years. I've been blessed to coach quality young men here, and I'll shed many tears leaving my team and Greenfield behind.
"The lessons we've learned together … I hope all of us can use them for the rest of our lives. This decision took weeks of really thinking about the pros and cons."
Eaton said he just wanted to say thanks.
"I want to just thank those who helped us make this tough decision and to those who have supported me throughout the years," he said. "Greenfield is a special place. I've made a lot of memories.
"One thing I'll always remember is being around this tradition at MHS. I've had many welcoming experiences here, whether it be watching Danté (Jackson) play and seeing people fight for tickets. Seeing the girls basketball team reach regionals … seeing the kids have a lot of success, that's tough to leave behind."
Eaton had one final comment.
"Regardless of where I was born and raised, Greenfield will always be home to my wife and me. I wish the team the best, and go Tigers."