Temporarily, ex-Knights coach Wagers takes over at ETSU

For the time being, Scott Wagers is a Division I men's head basketball coach -- and he's not crazy about it.

The former ultra-successful Robinson's boys coach, an assistant at East Tennessee State, recently took over the team on an interim basis when coach Murry Bartow's dad -- former UCLA and Alabama-Birmingham coach Gene Bartow -- diedy.

With Murry Bartow attending funeral services, Wagers guided the Pirates to a come-from-behind 73-69 triumph Monday against Kennesaw State. Former Armwood standout Adam Sollazzo led the team with 20 points; ex-Plant star Sheldon Cooley had 12.

"This was not a fun way to be a head coach," Wagers said in a story posted on ETSU's website. "We are all mourning the loss of Gene Bartow and all he meant to this team and to (Murry) Bartow. Our players knew how great a man he was, and I think we could sense the guys were a little off tonight in the first half."

Wagers posted a 112-26 record in five seasons at Robinson, guiding the 1998 team -- led by eventual University of Kentucky signee Desmond Allison -- to the Class 4A state tournament. He is in his 12th season at ETSU.

Photo: East Tennessee State University