Trio of Head Coaches Named at Sullivan South
by STEVE WILMOTH
TriCitiesSports.com
July 16, 2018
KINGSPORT, Tenn. – The Sullivan County Department of Education has confirmed the appointment of three new head coaches at Sullivan South High School.
John Wooten has been selected as head coach of the Rebel golf teams while Luci Creech will take over the Lady Rebel soccer program and Adam McElroy will head the Rebel cross country program.
Wooten, a long-time football assistant, moves over to take over for Athletic Director Anthony Richardson, who will stay on as head baseball coach and also serve as an assistant for new head girls’ basketball coach Terry Hutson.
Wooten coached football under Stacy Carter, Sam Haynie and Justin Hilton
“I’m definitely excited about it,” said Wooten. “It was not an easy decision because I love football. But it’s a great opportunity. I’ve been blessed being around some of those guys that have been South their whole lives.”
Wooten knows he has big shoes to fill following Richardson, who guided the Rebels to multiple state tournaments and the 2013 Class A/AA Girls State Title
“I don’t know if I can fill those shoes,” added Wooten. “He (Richardson) been such a great image for South for everything that he’s done as a player and coach. I look up to him as a man and coach.
Wooten will also continue to serve as South’s head track and field coach.
Creech has served as an assistant for the Lady Rebel soccer team for seven years and was an assistant for two years on the boys’ side.
“I was introduced to soccer when hired as an assistant under coach (Stephen) Fuchs,” said Creech. “Coach Fuchs taught me a lot about the game in in the three seasons we coached together.”
Creech stayed on when Keith Parker came on board four years ago.
“The program really flourished under Coach Parker’s care as did my love of the game,” continued Creech. “I have some big shoes to fill.”
South returns 16 players to this year’s squad and adds five newcomers.
“The new players have shown to be nice additions to the game,” added Creech. “I feel confident in this group of girls to come together on the field and produce good results.”
Creech is married for former Rebel athlete, Andy Creech. Their son Drew is a rising junior golf and baseball Rebel.
McElroy has been a Volunteer Assistant Coach at ETSU since August of 2014 and has been the Director of Tri-Cities Youth Athletics track program since February of 2014.
McElroy also helped with the Science Hill program for two years while at ETSU. He graduated from Science Hill in 2011 and from ETSU in 2013.
“Adam comes in with a solid reputation and we are really excited about him coming to Sullivan South,” said AD Richardson. “We think he’s going to fit well here. He’s a young guy with a lot of energy and passion for cross country.”