Anderson resigns at Bay

PANAMA CITY - Matt Anderson waited long enough.

Anderson resigned as Bay's head basketball coach on Aug. 15 to accept a job with Chipola as an assistant coach.

"I've been wanting to move up to the juco or college level and this opportunity came along really, really late in the summer," Anderson said. "I thought about it probably not even a week and thought I might not ever get that opportunity again. I've been coaching 23 years and may not have that opportunity for another 23 years."

Anderson, 45, leaves Bay's program after four seasons, but will remain at the school as a physical education teacher.

Anderson, who will make the 55-minute commute each way, and Chipola coach Greg Heiar still are in the getting-to-know-each-other phase. Anderson expects part of his role to be recruiting Florida, Georgia and Alabama because of his contacts in the region.

"I'm sure I can learn something from him and hopefully he can learn something from me and make Chipola better, if that's even possible," Anderson said.

Chipola has been a statewide power during the past decade and finished as high as national runner-up in 2007.

At Bay, Anderson was 75-35 and led the Tornadoes to two playoff appearances in four seasons.

Bay Principal Mackie Owens said the school is not in a hurry to fill Anderson's position and will follow established guidelines. Basketball practice starts Nov. 3 and the first preseason games can be played starting Nov. 18.

The opening will posted internally at Bay for five days and then district wide for five days. After 10 days, the position will be open to anyone wishing to apply.

Anderson said two of his assistants, Mike Grady and Mike Memmen, already have expressed interest. Owens said one drawback to the hiring process is that Bay doesn't have a teaching opening available.

"I hated to lose him," Owens said. "Matt was a good basketball coach. He worked well with the kids, he taught them fundamentals. His demeanor on the court was the type of demeanor I like to see out of our coach. He had a record of success even before he came to Bay High School. We'll miss him."

Anderson won four state championships as head coach at Malone. He graduated from West Florida in 1988 and was an assistant coach at his alma mater Ponce de Leon for two years during and two years after college. He coached at Malone from 1990-2000 before returning to PDL as head coach from 2000-04.

Anderson attended Chipola after high school, but said that didn't impact his decision.

"It's one of those steps in the ladder that as a coach you try to take," Anderson said. "You just continue to try to better yourself in the coaching ranks and obviously financially, too. This is hopefully one step in that process."

Anderson wanted to announce his decision before school started on Aug. 18 in fairness to his players and the school, but said the process wasn't easy.

"I spent a lot of time talking to Greg and talking to my dad," Anderson said. "It may have been a short time in term of days, but in hours spent thinking about it I didn't sleep much that week."