By By Kevin Taylor
TIMES RECORD KTAYLOR@SWTIMES.COM
Barry Lunney has a list of things he'd like to do as Bentonville's new football coach, from meeting with youth and junior high coaches, to visiting with existing players.
But first, Lunney has a few loose ends to tie up in Fort Smith.
The veteran Southside coach plans to visit with his Rebel players today as the final pieces to a month-long speculation come to fruition in Bentonville.
Bentonville officials could name a new coach today, and Lunney, 52, is expected to be their man.
Lunney and two other prominent head coaches, Kurt Thompson of Springfield (Mo.) Kickapoo and John Roderique of Webb City (Mo.), interviewed for the Bentonville job Monday. Both Thompson and Roderique, as of Wednesday night, had not been contacted by Bentonville.
Gary Wear resigned as the Tigers' coach more than 10 weeks ago.
Lunney, who has a 150-65-1 career record in 18 seasons, has guided the Rebels to a 135-60-1 record and eight conference championships in 16 years.
Under Lunney's watch, Southside won four state titles 1991, 1992, 1997, 2002.
Thompson, who has a 124-37 career record in 14 years, has a 51-25 record in seven seasons with the Chiefs. He also had a 73-12 record and two state championships in seven years at Webb City.
Roderique has three state titles and an 86-15 record in eight years at Webb City. The Cardinals, who lost this year's championship game 27-26 in overtime, have been to at least the state semifinals in each of the past five years.
Morning News Sportswriter Nathan Allen contributed to this story.