In three years as defensive line coach at Oxford, Bates molded four players into prized prospects. He’ll coach the same position at Idaho St. when he begins his duties on March 1st next year.
All-County choice John Clark went on to play at Troy, the same school that produced NFL defensive linemen Osi Umenyiora and DeMarcus Ware. Dimitri Orr committed to Arkansas before signing with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College last year. Jared Morse, The Star’s Class 4A-6A Calhoun County Class 4A-6A Defensive MVP is at Vanderbilt this season.
Senior defensive tackle Allan Carson is committed to Tennessee and set to play in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic Saturday. Morse (Donoho) and Carson (Sacred Heart) were both 1A transfers who became stars at the 6A level under Bates’ tutelage.
Bates will also be responsible for recruiting Dallas, Alabama and California for the Bengals.
