Kelly Herron named girls' basketball coach at Lenoir City

Athletic director Janet McGee said she didn’t sugarcoat anything when interviewing applicants to fill the position of girls’ basketball coach at Lenoir City High School.

“The first thing I told them was we run with some pretty rough company in the district,” said McGee.

For Kelly Herron, that was one of the lures of the job.

McGee confirmed Tuesday that Herron, who coached at first-year school Murfreesboro Central last year, is the next coach at Lenoir City.

She replaces Todd Wright, who stepped down in May after going 14-13 (7-7 in District 4-AAA) in his lone season at Lenoir City.

McGee said she received “16 to 24” applications for the job, with about half of those having head coaching experience.

Herron said the prospect of playing in ultra-competitive District 4-AAA was just one of many attractions of the Lenoir City post.

“I think it’s a great opportunity, especially with that area being so competitive,” said Herron on Tuesday.

“It’ll be challenging, exciting and it gives us something to work for.”

Herron certainly knows about competing at a high level.

She was a Miss Basketball finalist in 1997 during her senior season at Millington in West Tennessee. Herron went on to start at guard for the better part of three seasons at University of Memphis.

“She’s a proven winner already,” said McGee.

“She has been in pretty prestigious positions as a high school and college player. She knows what it takes to win. She’s the package.”

Last year, Herron was in on the ground floor as Murfreesboro Central opened its doors. The Lady Tigers played a mostly junior varsity schedule with only freshmen and sophomores at the new high school.

Herron was the head coach at Rockmart, Ga., for three seasons before taking over at Murfreesboro Central.

Previously, she was an assistant coach at Trinity Christian Academy in Jackson, the head coach at Millington for one season, and an assistant coach at Cordova.

She is involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and still plays on the FCA traveling team in the summer.

“That’s important to me. I want to teach kids things that help them succeed in life beyond the court.”

McGee and Herron both said they’re looking to build some stability in a Lenoir City program that now has its third head coach in as many years.

“That came up in every single interview,” said McGee.

“Lenoir City is a community school that has a strong basketball tradition. We want somebody to stay here, be a part of the community and be a part of the tradition.”

Herron, who will teach wellness and be on the physical education staff, said she hopes to be in Lenoir City next week.

“This is a great opportunity and I’m real excited about coming in and meeting the girls. It’s clearly my goal to come and stay. That is my intention.”