By Les Dixon / Sports Editor

It didn’t take long for Corbin High School to find a new coach to lead its tradition-rich baseball program.

Former Corbin assistant coach Rob Ledington accepted the job on Monday and will become the Redhounds’ third coach in 25 years.

“I think this is a great hire,” Corbin Athletic Director Gerald Foley said. “Rob has been very successful in the past and I believe he’ll continue his success here at Corbin.”

Foley was quick to point out that all that applied for the job were impressive candidates.

“All of them would have been good hires,” he said. “The deciding difference was that Rob had a little bit more experience. He’s a proven winner, and we’re really excited that he’s coming here to coach.”

Ledington, who will be head coach of a different high school for the third consecutive year, took over the helm in 2008 at Bell County and guided the Bobcats to a 13th Region title and a 26-15 record before stepping down to become head coach at Whitley County this past season. He guided the Colonels to a 14-12 record before seeing his team’s season come to an end in the first round of the 50th District Tournament. He was also named as Southwestern Pulaski’s first head coach when the school opened in 1994, but never coached during the season after he left the education field to become a federal probational officer.

“This has been a long journey for me,” Ledington said. “I really hope that this will be the last head coach job I will ever take. In the back of my mind, I always wanted to coach at Corbin and now it has happened.

“I’m where I wanted to be in the first place,” he added. “I didn’t know Jeff (Garmon) was going to leave this soon and if I did, I don’t think I would have ever left (as an assistant at Corbin). But it’s all water under the bridge now.”

Ledington also coached at Sue Bennett College for two years and also served as an assistant at Laurel County High School for two years, while coaching the Hummers traveling team during the summer. He also served as an assistant under former coach Jeff Garmon for five years.

“I am blessed and grateful that I have the opportunity to coach here,” Ledington said. “I’m very excited, but I also know I have a lot of expectations to uphold, too.”

Foley believes Ledington will do just fine.

“I believe Rob will be able to continue the tradition that both Randall (Sawyers) and Jeff (Garmon) built here at Corbin,” Foley said. “He has shown just how good of a job he can do and we’re happy he’s coming here.”

Ledington said leaving Whitley County was a tough decision to make.

“They treated me wonderful there,” he said. “You know, I believe they get a bad rap because they really do care about their academics and their athletic programs. Everyone treated me great while I was there.

“It was extremely tough leaving there, but it was the right move because I ultimately always wanted to come to Corbin,” Ledington added. “I fell in love with the kids at Whitley County and it’s tough leaving them.”

The move to Corbin means Ledington will stay in the 50th District and 13th Region.

“I believe we play in the toughest district and I’ve always thought that,” he said. “Whoever comes out of the 50th District, win or lose, always has a good chance at winning the region.

“I’m ready for the challenge,” Ledington added. “It’s just wonderful for my family — it was extremely difficult for a while when I was coaching at Bell County and at Whitley County. It was a difficult decision, but the right decision. I’m excited to get started.”

Ledington will replace Garmon, who informed Corbin High School officials a couple of weeks ago that he was stepping down as the Redhound baseball coach and will return to Glasgow High School to teach.

Garmon came to the Corbin baseball program in 1992 and served as an assistant coach under Randall Sawyers for 10 years before taking over the reigns in July 2002. He finished his career as head coach at Corbin with a 150-86 record, which included three 50th District titles, one 13th Region championship, one Semi-State 7 crown and an appearance in the state quarterfinals in 2005.