KJFM SPORTS – Coaching changes are coming to the Bowling Green R-I School District next fall as adjustments have been made in the boys’ basketball program and volleyball teams.

According to Bowling Green Athletic Director Matt Chance, head basketball coach Brandon McCann has resigned his teaching and coaching duties. Current assistant coach Craig Smith has been approved to take over the reins.

“I would like to thank the school board, Dr. Frederickson and AD Matt Chance for entrusting me with the Bobcat basketball program,” noted Smith. “My hope is we can move this program forward not only in the EMO, Northeast Missouri, but also the state. We have a great group of dedicated kids to basketball, multiple sports and academics. We want to make past players, community and fans proud of the product we put on the floor. Go Bobcats!”

Smith was previously the head coach of the Clopton Hawks program before moving to Bowling Green to take over as the girls basketball head coach, then this past season he served as the boys assistant coach. Smith is also the head softball coach at Bowling Green.

As for the volleyball program, current high school head coach Jill Dotson is moving to take over the middle school program and the district has tapped Katie Splain to resume her duties as head volleyball coach in the high school.

“In a coach’s life, you sacrifice so much of your family time for your athletes,” said Dotson. “Not only time during school hours, but your summer days. It was time for me to step down and spend time with my family and to enjoy my summers.”

Dotson continued, “I’m excited to kickstart the middle school program. The girls are great and eager to learn the game. A middle school program is the building block to your varsity program, and I love working to build fundamentals and volleyball has always been a passion of mine.”

Splain who is very familiar with the volleyball program at BGHS says she’s ready for the season to start.

“I’m excited to be back (coaching) at my alma mater and thankful for the opportunity to get to work with this awesome group of girls,” explained Splain.

Splain played for the Lady Bobcats while attending high school at Bowling Green plus has served as an assistant and head coach of the program over the years.

Stay tuned to Eagle 102 and kjfmradio.com for more on area high school sports.

Photo credits to Benjamin Cordes and Bowling Green High School