GOOD HOPE – Right before school began, Good Hope girls’ basketball coach Michael Oldacre announced his retirement after 16 seasons with the Lady Raiders, posting 316 victories and three Cullman County championships.
Principal John Hood had options to look at in finding a replacement for Oldacre. He wasn't looking for just anyone, he was in search of the right hire.
Hood reported one name was mentioned to him more than once. He took the suggestion into consideration and now has made a hire he feels good about.
Former standout Amanda Shults Swann has taken over the vacancy. Swann was an All-County and All-Area performer for Roger Pierce at Good Hope from 1991 to 1996. She started playing varsity basketball in the seventh grade and continued to progress on the hardwood by the time she entered her senior season.
She played two years of junior collegiate ball at Bevill State Community College in Fayette between the 1996 and 1998 seasons.
After that, she continued her education at Athens State University.
Swann has volunteered her time to help in the Good Hope youth program in recent years. "I love to put in the work that I got when I played," she said.
"I am looking forward to this opportunity to get started. I can't wait."
Hood remembers watching Swann play for the Lady Raiders and describes her as an athlete who gives everything she has to offer. "She doesn't like to lose, like I don't like to lose. I think she is a perfect fit for the job. She had great drive and the willingness to work."
Swann follows a list of coaches who have made Good Hope Lady Raider basketball a name since they started playing in 1975. She is the second woman to coach at Good Hope, following Connie Livingston who was at GHS from 1975 until 1977 when she took an offer to become Wallace State's first basketball coach.
The list after Livingston includes Billy Joe Pugh, Rodney Whittle, Roger Pierce and Oldacre.
With the hiring of Swann, the Cullman County school system will have five females leading their teams in the 2016-17 season. They are Tammy West at Cold Springs, Mary Lauren Hartline at Fairview, Christina Watson at Hanceville, Paige Parker-Adams at Holly Pond and Swann.
Parker-Adams and Swann begin their inaugural seasons with Hartline and Watson in their third years. West has been coaching in the county since the late 1990s.
Swann says she looked up to West as being her idol. Now the former Lady Raider will get to coach against the veteran who has led Cold Springs to three state championships and seven county titles.
Swann shares something in common with West and Hartline. All three are former Good Hope players, setting a trend for greatness in performing and now doing it in a different role on the sidelines.
Copyright 2016 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
