Wes Caldwell, baseball coach at Rhea County for the past 15 years, has been relieved of that duty.
A former Times Free Press coach of the year, Caldwell directed the 2010 Golden Eagles to a 15-16 record.
“They decided to go in a different direction. I was told only that it didn’t have anything to do with baseball,” Caldwell said.
“There was nothing immoral, illegal or unethical,” Rhea County principal Jesse Messimer said when asked about reasons for Caldwell’s dismissal as coach. “He spearheaded a movement to get the stadium built, and he has done good things here in his 15 years. I just felt it was time for a change.”
Caldwell’s best season was 2001 when the Golden Eagles won 25 games and the region championship. They finished with a No. 6 ranking in the final Class AAA baseball poll. Caldwell had been gearing toward a similar showing next season. He expected to return six of eight starting fielders and four of the team’s top six pitchers.
“I will remain at the school and teach,” he said. “I am proud that I can leave the program with honor and dignity. The greatest thing about being a coach at Rhea County has been the quality of the kids I have gotten to coach. That’s what has kept me there and made me proud to coach there.”
He said he had developed many positive relationships during his 15-year tenure.
“I appreciate the opportunity I was given to coach at Rhea, and I have made many meaningful relationships over the years from players to parents to supporters and fellow coaches,” Caldwell said. “It has been a privilege to work with the parents and supporters in the Rhea County community that I have gotten to work with.”
Messimer has no timetable for a replacement and said he had no candidates in mind.
“I won’t even post the job opening until Monday,” he said.