Coaching Staff
Mr. Shane Cole (2004-present)
Mr. Shane Cole joined Oak Grove Forensics during the 2003-2004 school year. It
seemed to be a full circle turn for the first year coach. Mr. Cole graduated from Oak
Grove High School, and a member of its Hall of Fame. He began his college career at
Jones County Junior College as a music education major. Realizing at the end of his
freshmen year that music and education was not his career path, he switched to broadcast
journalism. He graduated from JCJC with an Associate's Degree in May 1999.
He then transferred to the University of Southern Mississippi majoring in Radio,
Television, and Film. In the middle of his junior year he took an internship with Walt
Disney World learning about all the many jobs in the world of communication. Not only
does Cole credit his time in Orlando in changing his life, it supplied two major changes
that would affect the Oak Grove Team. First, upon returning to USM, Cole declared a
second major in speech communication with an emphasis in education. Secondly, it laid
the foundation for the OGHS Senior Tradition (see Alumni page).
In 2002, Mr. Cole began his final year of college and his coaching training. From
September of 2003 until March of 2004, he trained under the direction of Mrs. Kelly
Clark-Garner at Petal High School. Then, from March 2003 until May 2003 he trained
with Mrs. Stephanie Slay at the Rowan Center, a division of Hattiesburg High School.
In May 2003, Mr. Cole graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with two
Bachelor's Degrees; one in Radio, Television, and Film, the other in Speech
Communication.
He then interviewed at Oak Grove High School and accepted a position as the assistant
Forensics Coach assisting Mrs. Stephanie Weathers. His first success came in watching
his small team of 13 with the Hub City Classic (a tournament his team has won every
year since). Beginning with his second year, he moved to a co-coaching position with new
coach, Mrs. Stephanie Slay.
In 2007, he was named the NFHS/MHSAA Speech and Debate Coach of the Year. He
has been a member of the Biloxi Catholic Forensic League Committee since 2005, the
Mississippi Forensic League Committee since 2006, and the Mississippi High School
Activities Association Speech and Debate Committee since 2007 when he agreed to
become the State Auditor for the State Championship Tournament. He will also
graduate with his Master's Degree in Speech Communication in December 2008.
The 2008-2009 season brings another change. He will now act as Head Coach (or only
coach) for the team.
Mr. Shane Cole joined Oak Grove Forensics during the 2003-2004 school year. It
seemed to be a full circle turn for the first year coach. Mr. Cole graduated from Oak
Grove High School, and a member of its Hall of Fame. He began his college career at
Jones County Junior College as a music education major. Realizing at the end of his
freshmen year that music and education was not his career path, he switched to broadcast
journalism. He graduated from JCJC with an Associate's Degree in May 1999.
He then transferred to the University of Southern Mississippi majoring in Radio,
Television, and Film. In the middle of his junior year he took an internship with Walt
Disney World learning about all the many jobs in the world of communication. Not only
does Cole credit his time in Orlando in changing his life, it supplied two major changes
that would affect the Oak Grove Team. First, upon returning to USM, Cole declared a
second major in speech communication with an emphasis in education. Secondly, it laid
the foundation for the OGHS Senior Tradition (see Alumni page).
In 2002, Mr. Cole began his final year of college and his coaching training. From
September of 2003 until March of 2004, he trained under the direction of Mrs. Kelly
Clark-Garner at Petal High School. Then, from March 2003 until May 2003 he trained
with Mrs. Stephanie Slay at the Rowan Center, a division of Hattiesburg High School.
In May 2003, Mr. Cole graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with two
Bachelor's Degrees; one in Radio, Television, and Film, the other in Speech
Communication.
He then interviewed at Oak Grove High School and accepted a position as the assistant
Forensics Coach assisting Mrs. Stephanie Weathers. His first success came in watching
his small team of 13 with the Hub City Classic (a tournament his team has won every
year since). Beginning with his second year, he moved to a co-coaching position with new
coach, Mrs. Stephanie Slay.
In 2007, he was named the NFHS/MHSAA Speech and Debate Coach of the Year. He
has been a member of the Biloxi Catholic Forensic League Committee since 2005, the
Mississippi Forensic League Committee since 2006, and the Mississippi High School
Activities Association Speech and Debate Committee since 2007 when he agreed to
become the State Auditor for the State Championship Tournament. He will also
graduate with his Master's Degree in Speech Communication in December 2008.
The 2008-2009 season brings another change. He will now act as Head Coach (or only
coach) for the team.
Former Coaches of Oak Grove Forensics
Mrs. Stephanie Slay (2005-2008)
Mrs. Stephanie Weathers (2003-2004)
Ms. Kerri Kelly (2002)
Mrs. Christina Sumrall (1998-2001)
Mrs. Suzanne Allmon (1997)
Mrs. Stephanie Slay (2005-2008)
Mrs. Stephanie Weathers (2003-2004)
Ms. Kerri Kelly (2002)
Mrs. Christina Sumrall (1998-2001)
Mrs. Suzanne Allmon (1997)