Long-time Glenelg Gladiators coach Tom Thrasher, 58, is stepping down as the team's head baseball coach. His assistant, Dave Boteler, will move into the head coaching job.

Thrasher said he will coach the Gladiators' junior varsity next season.

"I coached Dave when he went to high school here, now he is back teaching at Glenelg and worthy to coach," said Thrasher, who has been the head coach since 1997 and took the team to state titles in 1998 and 1999. He was also the assistant coch on the 1995 team that won the state championship.

"I don't have one reservation about this," Thrasher said. "Dave is at the school, he took care of the field this season. He'd have to call me when it was too wet to play. It's just going to make it easier all the way around."

Thrasher, who teaches U.S. History to eighth graders at the Glenwood Middle School, said he will continue in that role.