Riverdale girls basketball seeking fourth coach since 2018 after Keri O'Neal resigns
Riverdale is searching for its fourth girls basketball coach since winning a third consecutive Class AAA state title in 2018.
Keri O'Neal, who was the coach for two seasons, resigned Friday.
"Right now I feel like it's best for me and my family to step away from coaching at Riverdale," said O'Neal, who gave birth to her first child in October. "I'm thankful for (Riverdale principal) Mrs. (Tamera) Blair and the administration for believing in me and giving me a chance. I love the girls and all the kids there."
O'Neal was hired in June 2021 after Amy Josephson resigned to take a position at Harpeth Hall. Josephson coached the Lady Warriors for three seasons, taking Riverdale to the state semifinals in 2019 but failing to reach the state the next two seasons.
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That came after Randy Coffman coached Riverdale from 2014-18, winning three state championships in his three seasons there before resigning to take a position at Lakeway Christian Academy.
Riverdale struggled to replenish talent after graduating star players from the state tournament run, including four Hayes sisters (Anastasia, Aislynn and Alasia, who are a Mississippi State, and Acacia, who is at Western Kentucky), Maryland standout Brinae Alexander and twins Alexis and Amanda Whittington (MTSU) and Lipscomb standout Jalynn Holcomb.
The opening of Rockvale High also had an effect on what has been a downturn in the program. O'Neal's squads combined to go 10-39 in two seasons, reaching the region tournament in 2022 but failing to get out of the District 7-4A tourney this season.
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"I appreciate (O'Neal's) hard work during the time she has been at Riverdale," Blair said. "She has been a positive leader and carried herself as an example for our girls. I wish her the best for continued success.
"Historically, Riverdale has been a winning program, and that's what we want to continue. We will begin our search for a new coach immediately."
Riverdale has seven state championships in girls basketball, all coming since 2007.
This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: TSSAA basketball: Keri O'Neal resigns as Riverdale girls coach
