Scott Bethel, the school’s athletic director, was named the head Diamond on Monday night.
“It is an honor to coach here at Sallisaw,” Bethel said. “There is a great tradition here. We have great players. One of the neatest things is I’ve been able to coach under some of the greatest coaches in Oklahoma like Ron Lancaster, (Virgil) Terry and coach (Craig) Benson. Hopefully I can step into this opportunity and build on the foundation they’ve built.”
Bethel replaces Craig Benson who left to take the head coaching job at Duncan.
Bethel was the team’s defensive coordinator and said the search for his replacement has already begun. Bethel will retain his athletic director duties as well.
“We just have to try to build on it,” Bethel said. “That tradition the seniors left has to be picked up by a new class of seniors. They are working hard right now and we plan on improving with each step.
Sallisaw went 8-3 last season and shared the 4A-4 conference championship with Cascia Hall and Poteau.
The Black Diamonds kick off the 2014 season against Catoosa.