For most basketball coaches, the summer is a pretty slow time. Not so for new Logan County High School boys' basketball coach Harold Tackett. Tackett and his wife, Ruth Ann, have been busy tying up loose ends in Floyd County where they lived and settling into their new home in Logan County.

“I'm here and I'm excited,” said Tackett. “I look forward to meeting everybody in the community.”

Although the basketball team can't begin practice until October 15, Tackett is looking forward to the start of school- he'll be teaching health and physical education- and the chance to get to know the students.

“You've got to let the kids know you care,” said Tackett, who has been in education for 21 years. He said one aspect of Logan County that he really liked was how the administration, teachers and coaches really care about the children.

Tackett has been teaching and coaching in Floyd County for 18 years. During his career he has coached girls' and boys' basketball, golf, volleyball and cross country. His teams have been very successful, often doing well in district and regional tournaments.

After some changes in their family situation- Tackett's parents both died last year and his son finished his Master's degree- the Tacketts decided they were ready for a move.

“It was time for a change,” Tackett said.

The position of head coach for the Cougars came open in the spring when Brandon Fisher left LCHS after only one season. The Cougars had a tough season, finishing 2-25 for the year.

“I like challenges,” Tackett said of taking over a team with a 2-25 record. “I knew coming in this is a place where success is just waiting to happen.”

As the third coach in three years, Tackett said he wants to bring some stability to the program and to let the kids know that he cares about them as people, not just as athletes.

“Everybody wants to be treated with respect and dignity and to see success,” he added.

Tackett said he believes having the five middle schools feeding into the one high school is a big strength, but he realizes that the challenge is to bring the former rivals together as one team.

As school gets started, Tackett said he'll be around to support the volleyball and football teams. Meanwhile, those interested in basketball should keep themselves in shape to be ready for the season.

Once practices start, Tackett said his system is pretty simple. “We play hard, we play smart and we have fun.”

Tackett believes that there is a lot of potential at Logan County.

“I want to put something out there that the community can be proud of,” Tackett said. “We want to put ourselves in a position to be competitive.”

Before practices even begin, Tackett said conditioning is very important. After that, a desire to play and a love of the game are things he looks for in a player.

Having a son who played sports throughout his school years, Tackett said he always tries to be the kind of coach he would have wanted his son to have.

“As a coach, you're hired to teach,” he said. “You lead by example.”

As the students become part of this year's team, Tackett said he is not going to worry about the past but focus on the future; a future he believes will be successful.

“I've coached 21 years and I've had one losing season,” Tackett said. “I don't expect to have my second.”