Meridian chooses Kitchens

By By Lynette Wilson and Austin Bishop /staff writers
Aug. 20, 2002
Longtime local soccer enthusiast, local coach and college referee Doug Kitchens has been named as the new head boys soccer coach at Meridian High School.
Kitchens replaces Mike Sullivan, who resigned last spring. Sullivan is now the head men's soccer coach at Itawamba Community College in Fulton.
Meridian High School principal James Bounds said it took some time to fill the position because any time a coaching position comes available in a public school system it must first be posted inside.
Bounds said Kitchen is employed in the public sector and has worked with youth soccer for some time.
Kitchens, who is currently serving his third year as president of the Meridian Youth Soccer Organization and his 13th on the board of directors, says his love of soccer comes from the roots.
Kitchens, who has coached recreation league teams of all ages and has refereed high school soccer for the past six seasons and college soccer for the past four, said he realized his approach may have to be a little different.
But he also said he had some definite goals for the team this season.