McFerren expresses interest in vacancy

~ The coach of nine high school state championship teams has applied for the job.

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Southeast Missouri State men's basketball program has a vacancy at the head coach position, and the rumor mill is operating at full capacity.

Many of the prospective candidates have impressive resumes, but the name of a local high school coaching legend has people talking.

Former Charleston and New Madrid County Central coach Lennies McFerren has been mentioned as a possible candidate in local coffee shops and Internet blogs.

McFerren had a distinguished high school career with nine state titles, seven with Charleston from 1977 to 1993 and two titles with NMCC from 1994 to 2001.

McFerren said Monday evening that he does have interest in the position.

"No doubt about it," he said. "I have applied for the position."

McFerren was optimistic, but guarded about the opportunity.

"It is somewhat of a long shot," McFerren said. "I am not naive to think that I would be first on SEMO's list. I have never coached at the college level, and it is a long shot to go from high school to college. But I think I owe fans that want to see me coach again. I really believe I can be a successful coach at that level of basketball.

"Not to sound over-confident," McFerren added, "but I think it would be an easy transition for me. If you want something bad enough and love doing what you do, you do what you have to do for the job."

McFerren, 57, believes his age should not be a factor.

"Age is a factor only if they don't want you," said McFerren. "I am healthy as a young man and trust me, I can motivate players. Several college coaches are doing well and are at an advanced age. Coach [Gene] Bess over at Three Rivers is doing quite well and coach [Gary] Garner is as old as Lennie McFerren."

McFerren believes his status as a Southeast alum will help him work with the university's booster club.

"A program can't survive without the support of the boosters," he said.

McFerren believes his greatest asset would be his ability to recruit local talent. Some of better players in the area have left in recent years for Arkansas State and Austin Peay.

"Recruiting would be the easy part of the job for me," McFerren said. "I love to watch players in high school and in junior college that would fit your mold. With the Riverbend Classic tournament we have held at NMCC, I have some contacts throughout the surrounding states of Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi and Tennessee. I can recruit from St. Louis down to Memphis, and anywhere in between. I have the ability to recruit in our own back door. I will bring a better understanding of the area. Several players have left the area and are doing well with other teams."

McFerren did not know if Southeast has a list of prospective coaches, only that he received confirmation that the university had received his application.

"I have had opportunities to coach at the college level," said McFerren. "Lincoln University offered me the head coaching job some year's back. Norm Stewart at Missouri offered me an assistant coach position, as did SEMO and coach Bess at Three Rivers. I turned down those offers for one reason -- my family. Now, it is all about Lennies McFerren. I am excited about the possibility and believe that the timing is right."

McFerren is content to be the next principal at Scott County Central. He has signed a contract for the next school year, but said the Southeast job is the only thing that could lure him away.

"I am riding a cloud right now that only I understand," said McFerren. "I am not interested in being an assistant at SEMO. I love to be the principal at Scott Central. I have paid my dues in coaching and feel that SEMO needs what I can bring to the position."