Sparkman’s Kellen Greer Resigns As Baseball Coach
Kellen Greer Resigns As Sparkman Coach
By BOB LABBE
For the Record
Harvest- After 11 stellar seasons, Kellen Greer has stepped down as head baseball coach at Sparkman High to take a position on the staff of Berry College baseball located in Rome, Ga. Greer leaves behind a 292-178 overall record and four Final Four appearances with the Senators.
“I have long had a desire to coach at the collegiate level and this is a tremendous opportunity to continue to grow as a coach and continue to positively impact the lives of young men,” said Greer upon his resignation.
“I’m happy for him and will miss him as I’ve grown very close to him in my four years at Sparkman,” said upcoming Sparkman senior Garrett Bodine. “I remember going into my sophomore season and he asked me if I thought I could play on the varsity. I told him no. He then took me and told me to believe in myself and have confidence needed to excel in the sport. I ended up starting every game that season.”
Sparkman principal Chris Shaw said of Greer’s decision, “Coach Greer has done an outstanding job here at Sparkman and we wish him nothing but the best in this next stage of his coaching career.”
Greer led the Senators to 10 consecutive playoff appearances and was named the Class 6A Coach of the Year in 2008. He led 51 players to their play in the collegiate level with three of those currently playing in the professional ranks.
Greer and his wife, Sherri, have two children and his work as a coach also resembled his life as the father to his children. Bodine, a senior outfielder, stressed his appreciation to his head coach while at Sparkman. “He has taught me a lot of life lessons and to have perseverance about life in general,” said Bodine.
Sparkman is currently in the search process of finding a replacement, according to Jason Watts, athletic director.
Greer met with his team on Sparkman Field behind the school where he told them of his decision and future plans where his dream was to always coach at the collegiate level.
“Our reaction as a team was sadness and were surprised,” said Bodine. “We love him and he’s been such a father figure for us.”