Today The Greenville Advocate begins its series on high school coaches entitled "Before They Were Coaches."

The series is intended to help better inform Butler County residents old and new of what area coaches did before they landed their jobs in the local schools. It will be published on Saturdays.

As sports editor, I too want to know more about the coaches. I feel with the information I learn on the coaches we select for the series that I will be able to not only socialize with the coaches better, but write more indepth stories in the future.

I've written series similar to this in the past and they have received good reviews from the public and the coaches.

Every time I begin a series the first coach is always reluctant to allow the story to be written because of modesty. A lot of the coaches don't want to toot their own horns and I don't blame them. Several have been many places and done many things over the years.

The Advocate begins its series with Greenville High School Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Alvin Briggs, who has seen many places and met many people of the years.

I hope everyone enjoys.

Adam Prestridge is sports editor of The Greenville Advocate. He can be reached at 382-3111, ext. 122 or by e-mail: adam.prestridge@greenvilleadvocate.com