Joe Price coached high school basketball for 36 years before his retirement in 2011. But a never-ending passion for the game and a job opening at Oak Ridge convinced him to return to the sideline.

Price, who was named the War Eagles’ new head coach over the summer, said he is excited about the opportunity to lead a team that finished 17-15 overall and 6-6 in District 14-5A play last season. He replaces Rob Stewart, who guided the War Eagles for 12 seasons.

Before taking the job at Oak Ridge, Price spent time at Kerrville, Aldine Nimitz, Houston Smiley, Baytown Sterling, North Shore and Port Arthur Lincoln, where he won a Class 4A state title in 1989. He currently has 494 career victories.

“It’s been a smooth transition,” Price said. “The players have accepted me and what I try to bring and teach them about basketball. Quite a few of them are already fundamentally sound, which makes the transition easier.”

The War Eagles return several experienced players, including all-county selections Tanner Doyel and Trumaine Jefferson. Seniors Josh Caldwell and Josh Myers will also play key roles. click here for complete story

All-county forward Trumaine Jefferson averaged 8.4 points and 3.1 rebounds for Oak Ridge last season.

All-county guard Tanner Doyel averaged 9.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game last season for Oak Ridge.

Oak Ridge coach Joe Price is hoping to lead his new team back to the playoffs this season. The War Eagles finished 17-15 last year under Rob Stewart.