It only took a week.

Lamar High School officials announced this past week that J. R. Boyd had been named the new head football coach of the Lamar High School Silver Foxes. Boyd coached the Silver Foxes for 14 years before leaving two years ago to accept a coaching position at Laurens, a 4A school. He returned to Lamar, a 1A school, this year as an assistant coach under Coach Charlie Poole. Poole was released as coach two weeks ago.

“I am pleased Coach Boyd has agreed to take on the head football coach’s role,” Principal Kathy Gainey said in a statement. “This is not about who has the better winning record. Both men are excellent coaches. Coach Boyd brings a different approach to discipline, academics, and training than Coach Poole. It’s about who we think can best serve our students and our community in this capacity.”

Boyd, who is a certified high school teacher, teaches Driver’s Education and Physical Education at Lamar High School. “Charlie is my friend and I have a great deal of respect for him and his family,” said Boyd. “I take this job with utmost respect for the Silver Fox family and know that we must get to work and get to work fast.

“We are going through some adverse times and must persevere by working hard and preparing for the future. I will meet with the players and coaches and we will get started on preparing for the future of Silver Fox football.”

But later in the week, the school district released another statement, saying that a “great deal has been made about the coaching changes at Lamar High School”.

According to Gainey, “We would have made a coaching change, even if Coach Boyd was not here. His presence was not the deciding factor. Now it’s time to move forward and get on with the business of education at Lamar High School.”

Boyd had not returned messages left by The News and Press at press time.