GAINESVILLE — North Hall boys basketball coach Tyler Sanders has gone private.
Sanders accepted the same position at Lakeview Academy, continuing the spring coaching carousel around the area. Lakeview Academy confirmed the hire via email on Tuesday.
Lakeview Athletics Director Deuce Roark said Sanders' name "kept popping up" in conversations with other coaches around the area.
"You know, you do your research, talk to coaches you respect around the area," Roark said about the hiring process. "His name kept popping up. So, that was an indication that we needed to go talk to this fellow."
Sanders replaces Todd Cottrell, who spent seven seasons at the helm of the Lions, leading them to the state tournament five times, including a quarterfinal fun in 2016 and a semifinal run in 2017.
Sanders will have big shoes to fill but Roark feels he's found a younger version of Cottrell.
"There were big shoes to fill when Todd left," he said. "Todd is an excellent coach and great person, and I think we've got a younger version. Tyler is a guy that is going to continue to grow and develop as a coach, too, but also bring those same qualities."
The spring has been busy, despite the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, with basketball coaches making moves around northeast Georgia.
Robbie Bailey was hired as head coach at White County. Eric Herrick jumped from boys to girls coach at Dawson County. Michael Parker was finally hired by Lumpkin County to replace Jeff Steele and, now, Sanders jumps to Lakeview, leaving another vacancy at North Hall.
Sanders leaves North Hall with a 94-99 overall record in seven seasons with three state tournament appearances and one region runner-up. His best season was in 2016 when the Trojans finished 21-8.
The Trojans were 18-11 with a Class 3A first-round tournament loss to eventual state champion Pace Academy last season.
"I hope he brings the tenacity and attitude that his kids played with at North Hall," Roark said. "When you watched them play, they played with a lot of heart and passion. Our kids at Lakeview like to play with that passion and heart. Tyler is a great fit because Todd had really instilled a lot of that in our boys. I think this can kind of rollover and improve on that same kind of mentality."
