The Warrenton basketball program continues to undergo transition this summer, with the second changing of the guard in as many months announced this week.Last Thursday, the R-III board voted to promote varsity boys assistant Michael Uffmann to the head coaching job.He will assume the role that had been held by superintendent Dr. Jim Chandler on an interim basis.“I’m excited and looking forward to coaching the same guys I’ve coached for the last two years already,” said Uffmann. “I think having a third year with them, we’ll see even more progress.”While Uffmann is no stranger to the program, there was uncertainty as to whether he was prepared to take the reigns until more recently.“Coming into the summer, I had no way to evaluate Mr. Uffmann,” asserted Activities Director Bobby Spoonster. “I wanted to be able to give him an opportunity to work with Dr. Chandler and see how he developed over the summer.”Spoonster says he and Chandler observed the exemplary effort displayed by Uffmann during summer workouts and believed it was time for the promotion.“After being able to watch him, and seeing how he interacted with the kids and how they respond to him, I thought was a good chance to go ahead and remove the interim tag from Dr. Chandler and allow Mr. Uffmann to take the reigns the rest of the summer,” said Spoonster.Uffmann says he is confident in his ability to handle the job with the cooperation of his assistants and the administration.“We worked together a lot throughout the summer, and it came to the point where he realized I was ready,” said Uffmann.He’s aware of the challenges that accompany taking over a program that has routinely struggled for nearly a decade.“We have to switch that losing mentality,” said Uffmann. “The past few seasons we’ve had a losing record and haven’t won any conference games. In districts, we’ve been one and done, so those are things we have to change.”A graduate of Washington High School, Uffmann attended the University of Missouri. Prior to becoming a seventh-grade math teacher at Warrenton, he spent two years as an assistant in the Kirksville School District.Uffmann served the past two years under former head coach Trevor Hibbs.“I’ve enjoyed my time here,” said Uffmann. “Last year was best my year teaching in the classroom and the most enjoyable that I’ve had coaching as well.” Uffmann began his duties immediately, leading youth camps this week.“I’m really excited about the turnout he’s had for the elementary and middle school kids in camp this week,” said Uffmann. “We need to build at the lower levels, and he’s done a really good job of gaining interest there.”

Warrenton assistant Michael Uffmann has been promoted to head basketball coach.

Derrick Forsythe Photo.