DAHLONEGA, Ga. — A week after David Dowse resigned as Lumpkin County's head girls basketball coach, he returned to the position on Monday afternoon.
School officials confirmed Dowse's return and said he led practice on Monday.
“In just over four years as our head coach, coach Dowse has taken a struggling program to become one of the best in the state," principal Billy Kirk said on Tuesday. "As we move forward, coach Dowse gives our team the best chance for success, and we believe that our incredibly talented young ladies will overcome the recent adversity, perform like the champions they are and remain focused on the rest of the season.”
The above comments were from a statement that Kirk released on Tuesday explaining why the school reached out to Dowse in hopes of luring him back to the program.
"After returning from Thanksgiving break, LCHS principal Billy Kirk, athletic director Steve Horton and superintendent Dr. Rob Brown met to strategize a plan forward for the Lady Indians basketball team," the statement read. "After considering several options, the decision was made to ask coach David Dowse to reconsider his resignation as the head coach of the Lady Indians basketball team and to finish the season with the team."
The statement said Dowse agreed to take the sidelines for the remainder of the season.
Kirk also said he held a parent and player meeting after practice on Monday to officially "announce the reinstatement of Dowse."
He encouraged all involved to "work together and to focus on teams goals."
Dowse's resignation last week was a day before the No. 1-ranked Lady Indians (3-1) were scheduled to play Class 6A No. 3 Buford. Lumpkin County only trailed by six points in the third quarter, but the Lady Wolves went on a run to win, 56-39.
Last Tuesday, the Lady Indians got back on track with a 63-44 blowout win over Class 5A 10th-ranked St. Pius X, 63-44.
The Lady Indians are scheduled to travel to Class 2A No. 7 Union County on Thursday. Game time is set for 6 p.m.
