Sunday, Jul. 17, 2011

Bell upset with ending at Athens

The frustration from Joey Bell was evident as he discussed what led him to resigning as Athens Drive's baseball caoch.

"I've been there for 19 years and I was told that my program was not headed in the right direction and I resigned," Bell said. "Someone said this, I don't believe it and they do believe it."

Bell is the winningest coach in program history and has led the Jaguars to the postseason eight times in 11 seasons as the varsity coach. He was the junior varsity coach from 1993-2000.

The Jags were coming off their second straight second-place finish in the Tri-Nine Conference.

Athletics director Alvin Thompson said he had discussed a coaching change with Bell, but did not say why he thought the program was heading in a wrong direction.

"I appreciate all of the good things that Joey has done for us for many years," Thompson told the N&O. "But it is time for a change."

Without naming anyone or refusing to go into details, Bell hinted at a difference in expectations on how the program should operate.

"It's not about wins and losses. I would just say there was a difference in opinion about the way things I was doing some things. ... I'm like this: if it ain't broke don't fix it. Why change something if you've got a good thing?" Bell said. "And honestly, Athens Drive baseball has been very, very good year in and year out, so why would I want to change something that's been the same way?"

He continued: "Someone who's been there a couple of years versus a guy who has been there 19 years -- it's amazing. It's just a difference of getting things done and things that do not get done and having a difference of opinion."

Bell is currently still a teacher at Athens Drive and does not know what his plans will be next year. His wife, Melissa, is the varsity softball coach at East Wake, where their daughter will be a sophomore next year and the family lives near.

"I've been driving 60 miles to go to Athens Drive each day, but you do it for the baseball program," Bell said.

"Obviously, there are a lot of places that are closer to where I live, but from what I've got from Athens all the years I would be stupid to pass it up because of all the players I've had and the program we've established."

Additional calls made to Thompson were not immediately returned.

Staff writer Tim Stevens contributed to this report.