MEADVILLE – Charles Moore wants to start something new inFranklin County, by establishing a competitive program first andwinner second, something he thinks might equal a playoff berthlater as he takes on the Franklin County girls basketball team withintentions of winning more and losing less.

“I’m excited about coming home,” said Moore, a 1975 FHSgraduate. “Franklin County’s a great place to live and coach. Ijust look forward to the challenge of coaching our girls to futuresuccess.”

Moore (44), will be replacing long-time Bulldog veteran AlbertCain. Cain, a Natchez native, led the Franklin girls to theplayoffs 11 times in his 23 coaching years. His Lady Dawgs went0-26 this past season in a rebuilding year.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do first,” said Moore. “I heard thatour record wasn’t that good last year, so adding some wins to itwill be our first order business.”

Moore, who graduated from USM in 1983, began his coaching careerat McCormick High in South Carolina in 1984 as a assistant footballcoach and junior varsity girls coach. He later took on the reins ashead boys basketball coach and led McCormick to two Regionchampionships and one Up-State Championship appearance in 1989.

After leading the McCormick boys to Up-State, Moore went back toMississippi to serve as an assistant and head coach in the boysbasketball program at Neshoba Central for two years in 1991 and1992. He left the Magnolia State again to take on the boys programat 96 High in Greenwood, South Carolina.

While at 96, Moore established a very successful program bywinning region three times and carrying his team to the StateFinals in Up-State in 1995, 96, and 1998. His boys teams made theplayoffs eight times in his 11 years at the school.

“We had some very good teams up there,” added Moore. “We went toUp-State three times and won the region. Overall, we had some togood kids to coach.”

Moore also assisted with the football program at 96 as anassistant. He will serve as an assistant with the Bulldogs infootball, baseball, and boys basketball under Chris Jordan. Jordanwill like wise serve under Moore as assistant to the girls.

“Working with Chris will be great,” continued Moore. “He canhelp me with stuff and I can help him. Being his assistant and himmine will only strengthen the chemistry in both our teams.”

Moore is also no stranger to Franklin County athletics. Heplayed on the Bulldog baseball, basketball, and football teams inhigh school from 1973-1975. He was a member of the Dawgs 1973 ClassA Baseball Championship team as a sophomore first baseman.

“I still remember those years in high school fondly,” saidMoore. “I remember that 1973 team and all the great baseball weplayed under the direction of coach Ed Zumbro Jr. I also remembercoach Goff as an assistant under the late John Laird in football.Overall, I had some great times there and hope to make evenmore.”

Moore will be living with his parents the first year atFranklin, before moving into a house in 2003. His wife of 20 years,Joy will be staying in South Carolina for their daughter Lindsey’ssenior year at 96. Lindsey, age 17, is a standout volleyball,basketball, and softball. She’s received several division oneoffers from several different schools in all three sports.

Moore’s son Sam, age 14, will be coming with him to Franklin, aswill his youngest son Jacob, 4.

“It’s going to be hard being away from them,” added Moore. “Butit’ll give me a chance to see my family and friends that I haven’tseen in a while. It’ll be different to say the least.”

Moore will be conducting tryouts July 8th, 9th, and 11th at theFranklin High Gym for all seriously interested Lady Bulldogbasketball prospects entering the ninth, tenth, eleventh, andtwelfth grades. Tryouts begin at 6:00 in the evening.

“The tryouts will give him a chance to meet and select themembers of the team,” said FHS Principal M.D. Bilbo. “Overall,we’re happy he’s coming here. His resume gives us a chance to fillout many spots in our athletic department. Plus, he gives us a realgood fit, presently and in the future.”

Something Moore hopes to do because he’s right where he wants tobe, in the friendly confines of home once again.