[06/12/01] Not hiring Randy Broome as the next head baseball coach at Warren Central would be one of the biggest mistakes the school district ever made, outgoing Vikings’ coach Sam Temple said.

“The next head coach of this team needs to be Randy Broome,” Temple said. “He’s been here working beside me and he’s put in as much love and as much time as I have.”

Temple, who resigned from his position to take the head coaching job at Clinton, said Broome was a factor in his decision.

“It was a time and place in my life to go on and it’s a time in his life where I want him to be able to take ahold of the reins,” Temple said.

“It’s a time where I am ready to hand this thing off to him and let him do what I know he can do.”

Players also lined up in support of the 28-year-old Baton Rouge native, who played at Meridian Community College and Mississippi College.

“I sure don’t want someone coming in trying to change everything my senior year,” shortstop Joey Lieberman said. “I don’t want someone trying to run things like they’ve been here the whole time.”

Broome had a chance to apply for the vacant Vicksburg High position two years ago, but said then he wasn’t ready to tackle that responsibility, something he said now he’s ready for.

“I’m interested in the job for sure, but if it pans out or not, we’ll have to wait and see,” Broome said.

“There’s some pretty good people interested in this job. I was here four out of the five years with (Temple) and the success and I think that will go a little ways, too … maybe not far, but it should.

“Learning from (Temple’s) system would be easier on the kids’ transition.”

Broome was an assistant at Vicksburg High for one season before joining Temple. This season, he coached from third base as Temple moved into the dugout.

With a wealth of talent, including five starters returning from this year’s state championship team, players want to keep some familiarity in the program.

“We’ve had Coach Broome here for four years and he’s had a big effect on things,” junior-to-be Tyler DeRossette said.

“We want Coach Broome to stay here and everything will work out fine.”

Vicksburg Warren athletics director Lum Wright Jr. said he was waiting on a letter of resignation from Temple before the search will begin.

In the meantime, Broome will continue to coach the Vikings’ summer league junior team. Brian Lane will replace Temple as the seniors’ coach.

“Coach Broome said he is going to try hard for the job and we are excited about that,” Lieberman said.