By Stan Veitch/Sports Correspondent
“Sometimes you have to take a small step backward in order to later take a step forward.”
Those were the words of Lee Ozmint after resigning as the head football coach at Glencoe High earlier this week. Next season, he will be the defensive coordinator at Oxford.
Ozmint has a big background on defense. He played defensive back at Alabama and was the defensive coordinator at Gadsden High upon its closing.
“(Ozmint) is very knowledgeable about football in general, but especially on defense,” Glencoe principal Charlton Giles said. “And while he was at Glencoe, he did more off the field than he did on the field.”
Glencoers will still see plenty of the coach, as he will still reside in eastern Etowah County. And his wife, Leigh, will continue to teach at Glencoe Elementary.
“I am so grateful for the community of Glencoe,” Lee said. “Any time that we needed something, the community – and the booster club in particular – threw themselves behind it.”
Oxmint noted that the booster club wasn’t exclusive to football, either. They are supportive of all the teams.
“They are tireless in their support,” he said. “They have to be one of the best booster clubs in Alabama.”
Pace Ozmint, the youngest son, graduates from Glencoe in the upcoming spring. Thomas Ozmint graduated last year and is a member of the University of West Alabama football team.
“Every time I’ve walked through the doors at Glencoe, I’ve had one of my kids beside me,” said Lee. “It’s a great place to live and a great place to raise your children. I’m just at the point in my career when it’s time for a change. The (Glencoe) program has done really well in the 10 years I have been there. The athletes are coached and have a great work ethic. They have a really good character and there is no reason that whoever is hired should continue what we started.
“I felt like it was God’s will for me to go to Glencoe when I did and I feel like it’s God’s will that I now move on.
“I’m very comfortable at Glencoe and have fear to some extent about moving into the great unknown.”
Lee. who will be teaching a career prep class at Oxford, will be coa-ching under Ryan Herring, who took over the program in 2013 when John Grass went to Jacksonville State.
“(Herring) is a great man and great coach,” Lee said. “I leave with great anticipation of a fantastic atmosphere at Oxford.”
Lee was at Glencoe for 10 years, accumulating a 77-37 record and making the postseason for seven consecutive years.
In 2014, the Yellow Jackets finished 13-1 and in the Class 3A playoff semifinals, almost defeated the eventual state champions, Madison Academy. The Mustangs won by a score of 31-27.
Giles hopes to have a new coach in place by the start of February, 2016.
“Right now, we’re still putting the pieces of the puzzle together,” Giles said.