Martins Ferry officials knew their athletics director Mark Cook eventually planned to retire. After all, the longtime sports boss at Martins Ferry enjoyed a lengthy and successful tenure at Barnesville before joining the Purple.
They didn’t expect it this soon, however.
When Cook unexpectedly tendered his resignation a little more than a week ago, it left one of the Ohio Valley’s top athletics programs without a leader with less than a month before fall sports practices kicked off. Ideal situation it was not, but thanks to some fortuitous timing, Cook’s replacement is far better than anyone the Belmont County school could hope for, let alone on such short notice.
A few weeks earlier, Greg Harkness finished an eight-year tour of duty as athletics director at nearby Bridgeport High School, this after tendering his resignation back in February.
Harkness had planned to stay on in the school district as the EMIS Coordinator, while relinquishing his role as AD. Previously, Harkness stepped down as the girls’ basketball coach.
Emphasis on had in that previous statement because when your dream job opens up, even the best-laid plans can get tossed out the window.
“I was going to take a break and had put in my resignation back in February,” Harkness admitted. “But when the job came open, it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“I figured if I didn’t apply, a younger guy would get it and then it’d be another 10-15 years before it came open again. At that point, I’d be too old to make a move, so I kind of went with it and it worked out.”
Make no mistake, this is a mutually beneficial pairing.
Moving Quickly
Harkness did a little golfing the weekend prior to his hiring, then whilst scrolling through Twitter, saw Cook’s announcement about his resignation.
Immediately, the wheels began to turn.
Harkness noted he texted a couple of the Ferry coaches initially to get the info on what was going on and to gauge their opinions.
He also wanted to see if Ferry already had a solution for moving forward.
The district did not.
“They told me they didn’t have a plan yet and were kind of blindsided by him leaving,” Harkness recalled. “Sunday, I talked to a few more people and on Monday (the interest) really started heating up.
“After a couple more conversations, I was told that Tuesday, they’d put me on the agenda before the board (of education).
“It was kind of surreal.”
Harkness admitted he was ready to continue on as EMIS Coordinator at Bridgeport and enjoy a well-deserved break from his other duties. Now, he’ll be moving his office to the Purple City todevote his time and talents to running the Purple Riders’ athletics department. He may add some personal touches here and there, but he knows the department already runs fairly smoothly and experiences a lot of success. There’s no need to go rocking the boat and making wholesale changes.
“I know everybody at the high school from the principals, the superintendent, the treasurer, I’ve dealt with the board members in different aspects, and I know most of the coaches,” Harkness said. “That part will be a smooth transition. The behind-the-scenes stuff, the scheduling, the officials, I want to adapt to the way they are used to things being done.
“Cookie did a great job and it’s easier for one person to adapt to the way things are done than all the coaches adapt to a new style. I have different ways of doing things, but when it comes down to use, they are used to it and it works, so keep rolling with it because they’ve been successful for a long time. I’m not looking to change anything.”
Coming Home
This late in the game before the 2022-23 school year begins, the pickings of experienced ADs may have been slim for Ferry officials in normal years.
Instead of having to hire potentially a “green” candidate, Harkness can hit the ground running thanks to nearly 10 years in the business locally.
He knows all his fellow AD counterparts throughout the conference. He knows the officials. He has contacts.
He also owns coaching experience at Martins Ferry, and has served previously on the girls’ basketball coaching staff prior to his arrival at Bridgeport. He has good working relationships with many of the current coaches at Martins Ferry. Some he’s happy to call his personal friends.
Oh yeah, he’s also a 1993 graduate of Martins Ferry High School.
Fortuitous indeed.
“Honestly, I think it’s a win-win for both sides,” Harkness said. “I know I’m very excited about it and I hope they are. I bring some experience to the table, and they are familiar with me from both coaching and being an AD.
“We talked a lot when (Bridgeport) would play up there, and obviously, (Bridgeport) played football at the field for three years.”
Need more evidence that this pairing was meant to transpire?
Harkness’ first full day on the job is August 1. That also happens to be his birthday.
