Franklin County Schools completed the hiring of new coaches at their last board meeting on August 6.

Brady Ramey resigned as Red Bay’s girls basketball coach when he was named the school’s new principal. The Tigers didn’t have to look far to find a replacement. John Torisky, coach of Red Bay’s boys team, will pull double duty and also coach the girls team.

Torisky has been very successful in revitalizing Red Bay’s boys basketball program and making it a regular contender for district and regional titles. Now he will see if he can bring the same success to the girls program, which has struggled since his father-in-law, Donnie Roberts, retired several years ago.

“It’s going to be a challenge to coach both the boys and the girls,” Torisky said, “but I like challenges. I think we can be successful in both areas. I know the tradition of Red Bay girls basketball and I think we can get back to where we need to be.”

Talon Thomas will take over Belgreen’s cross country program. Thomas, who currently works as a teacher and coach at Belgreen, said he believes he can continue the Bulldogs’ success in distance running.

“We have some elite athletes at Belgreen,” Thomas said. “I’m excited about the opportunity to lead this program.”

Tharptown turned to a young coach, Lucas Craft, to take over the Wildcat baseball program following the retirement of Thomas Horton. Craft will be a first-year teacher and coach at Tharptown and will help with football as well as lead the baseball program. Craft is a graduate of Colbert County High School, where he played football and baseball.