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PARKERSBURG - Coaching has been Bob Carr's calling for more than 35 years.
During that time, he worked as an assistant for basketball programs at Parkersburg High School, Ohio Valley University and Parkersburg Catholic High School. At no time was he a head coach at those stops.
Until now. On Friday, Parkersburg Catholic formally introduced the 1980 graduate as the new head coach of the Crusaderettes' girls basketball program.
"The opportunity came along - I wasn't really expecting it," Carr said. "When I got out of the service in 1984, a guy asked me to help him with a Saturday morning Rec League. The only thing I knew about coaching was the fast break (Los Angeles) Lakers. As I got around kids, coaching young people felt like my strong suit.
"It's been my calling and my wife (Kelly) was always there to encourage me. I do want to know, 'Can I do this?' I prayed about applying. After I put in for the position, the juices and desire started flowing."
Carr takes over a program with a strong tradition. Behind the likes of former coaches Dick Wildt and most recently Marty Vierheller, PCHS owns 10 state titles and four runner-up finishes in girls basketball.
"I look forward to the challenge — I'm not sure I was ready for the barrage of interviews," said Carr, who spent last season as an assistant coach for the PCHS boys basketball team. "With Parkersburg Catholic girls basketball, there is a level of expectancy. My vision is to maintain that. We graduated five seniors. Nobody is going to feel sorry for Parkersburg Catholic. I welcome this challenge."
Carr's coaching career dealt primarily with boys basketball. In the past, he has worked with girls basketball players through private lessons. He also has 30 years of experience officiating boys and girls basketball.
"I'm hoping to establish a culture where kids are encouraged to push themselves past limits they have for themselves," Carr said. "My system translates to boys and girls. What I do with tempo goes back to what I was doing in AAU ball 20 years ago.
"Basketball has evolved over the years, but is still being played the way it's always been played."
Carr plans to hit the ground running. He will touch base with members of the volleyball team and players who have prior experience. He will roam the halls and find individuals who are willing to join the program for the first time.
"I am strong and adamant about my faith," Carr said. "Being at a faith-based school, the advantages outweigh any challenges I will face. At this faith-based school, I don't have to apologize who I am."
"Over time, I have been blessed to be around a bevy of great coaches here in the Mid-Ohio Valley. I have picked up a little from everybody what they do as coaches. Nobody can say they bring anything new to the game because every offense and defense has been somewhere. I don't look to reinvent the wheel."
Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com