By Brad Morris

CIRCLEVILLE – Getting back to the classroom and football field is what drew Scott Bartholomew to Logan Elm High School.

Bartholomew was approved by the district’s board of education Monday evening as the new head football coach of the Braves.

“This is an excellent opportunity for me because I can get back into the classroom and back to the football field,” Bartholomew said. “When I went into education, I wanted the opportunity to be around and help kids.

“I’ll be teaching accounting and coaching the football team, so that accomplishes both of my goals.”

Bartholomew (113-63 career record) has 23 years of coaching experience, including being head coach of Westfall High School in Pickaway County and Oak Hill High School in Jackson County. At Oak Hill, Bartholomew led the Oaks to a pair of league championships. Following his eight seasons with Oak Hill, Bartholomew soon became the head football coach at Westfall, compiling a mark of 61-35, winning two league championships and guiding the Mustangs to four playoff appearances. In 2005, Westfall won the first playoff game in school and county history with a 21-17 win over West Muskingum. Westfall then entertained Ironton in the first home playoff game in school and county history, capturing a 42-35 win.

Bartholomew stepped down from the Westfall coaching position in May, 2007 after nine seasons at the school, citing family and personal reasons at the time.

“During the time away from coaching, I was able to recharge my batteries a little bit, but I also found I missed coaching and the interaction with the kids,” Bartholomew said. “ … This is a good opportunity because we don’t have to move right away with the housing market. It also presents my two daughters with the opportunity to choose if they want to go to school at Westfall or Logan Elm. My wife is also a curriculum work aide at Westfall, and she can continue to work there.”

Bartholomew, who will also help perform athletic director duties at the school with Rod Smith, said he was drawn to Logan Elm because of his past experience with the school.

“I went to school in Pickaway County and coached in the county, and I’ve always known that Logan Elm takes its athletics seriously,” Bartholomew said. “The opportunity came up and what I really liked was that they also support their athletics well and want to win.”

Following Westfall’s first playoff game against Bellaire in 2003, the Mustangs went to a spread offense similar to Bellaire’s. Bartholomew said he wants to takes a look at personnel before deciding on what offensive or defensive scheme he wants to run at Logan Elm.

“We ran the spread at Westfall, but I want to take the time and get to know the personnel we have here, evaluate the personnel and make the decision on what is the best offense and defense to run for the players we have,” Bartholomew said. “We want to do what is best for the kids and put them into the best position for them to be successful.”

Bartholomew has only made one decision on his staff. Smith, a former head coach at Logan Elm, will coach the defensive backs and assist coaching the running backs. For the rest of his staff, Bartholomew is looking for coaches who match his desire to be around kids.

“I’ve coached against Rod and been to clinics with him, and I know he really loves kids and the game of football,” Bartholomew said. “That’s the thing that is important for me in picking our staff. I want coaches who enjoy coaching, being around kids and love the game of football.”

Bartholomew said he’s also looking forward to the challenge of the Mid-State League Buckeye Division. The league features state-power Amanda-Clearcreek, but also enjoyed success in last season’s playoffs as Canal Winchester and Circleville each won their first playoff game in school history.

“There is no doubt that the Mid-State League is a well respected league in our area,” Bartholomew said. “The league not only has a high caliber of athlete, but also a high caliber group of coaches. The league is a challenge for us as a coaching staff, but a challenge I look forward to.

“This is a league where you have to be on top of your game every night or you are going to lose.”

The goals Bartholomew has set for the Braves matches his traditional aims – winning the county championship, the league championship and making the playoffs.

“We always want to set our goals high so our kids have something to strive for,” Bartholomew said. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity of getting to work and building a foundation for our program.”