Barnes will be new AD at Mayfield

Mike Barnes has been promoted from assistant athletic director and boys' track coach to succeed the retiring Jim Dasher at Mayfield High School.

"I'm very excited and ready to get started," Barnes said. Dasher will retire at the end of the school year.

Barnes, 37, lives in Chagrin Falls. He is a graduate of Euclid High School, where he participated in football, basketball and track.

Barnes, a history teacher at Mayfield High, said the situation is perfect. He has two daughters and is considering moving to Mayfield.

"It's a quality community with tremendous standards and work ethic," Barnes said. "There are great people to work with. I don't think there's a finer community around.

"I've established great relationships."

He was at Mayfield from 1995-98 before leaving to become assistant principal at Euclid and Brush. He returned to Mayfield in 2001 to coach the boys in track and field. He has been assistant athletic director for two years.

Barnes will have to resign as track coach according to school district rules. Thus, he'll be in charge of hiring his successor.

Mayfield Schools Superintendent Phillip Price was happy to see Barnes accept the position.

"What is very important about Mike is his knowledge of the position and what it takes to be successful," Price said. "He's very approachable and always positive.

"Because he works in the system, he's very well-known and respected by the parents, the students and the community."

Price said more than 25 people applied for the job.

"Mike is a tremendous teacher and a successful coach," Price said. "He's really prepared himself well for this position. That's what separated him.

"Plus, he really cares about academics. He loves what he does."

If it sounds like Price is impressed with Barnes, it's because he is. "He's the complete package," Price added....