Gold led Lions to respect

Some of you may not realize it, but Columbia County lost one of its finest coaches last week when Mike Gold was forced out at Augusta Christian.

Gold, who served as the school's athletic director and boys' basketball coach, had led the AC athletic program into unchartered territory.

He led the basketball team to two state titles and the Lions were considered a Georgia Independent School Association favorite year in and year out. More importantly, he helped guys like Jason Staten, Nick Isaac, Joey Isaac, Marc Halvorsen and James Seegars (just to name a few) earn college scholarships.

His biggest impact, however, could have been as an athletic director. Under Gold the entire AC program began to earn statewide respect. Gold hired Steve Price, who has been a perfect fit in football, and the baseball, track, and tennis teams all became GISA champs with Gold at the helm.

And now he is out of a job. He was not fired. He did resign. Whether he was pushed out the door is up for debate.

There are all sorts of rumors swirling about why he stepped down. I thought long and hard about this topic and whether I should get into specifics.

Should I try and place blame? Or was anyone to blame?

The bottom line is that coach Gold was dating a co-worker, (he's a single guy) which he is allowed to do. Apparently he tried to break things off which made her furious. There is also a rumor that he owed her money.

To be honest I have no idea if that is true or not, but regardless, in my opinion, it is a personal matter.

Can you imagine if our dirty laundry was a topic of conversation among our peers, or even worse effected our job?

You may take this as me blaming Augusta Christian. I am not. Coach Gold resigned, he wasn't fired. Also, he did sign a contract in which, I'm told, he promised to hold himself up to certain standards, and in this day and age maybe we all should strive for an upstanding lifestyle.

Still, if Augusta Christian fired or got resignations from every single faculty member who broke the honor code, the school would spend the next month re-staffing.

So, I hate to admit it, but I'm copping out on this one. I really don't know if we can fault Gold or the school (I do know a famous line about a woman scorned that comes to mind.).

My opinion is...butt out.

Gold's personal life is none of our business. He didn't beat anyone, do any drugs, or break any laws; aside from those three things he has a right to a personal life.

So, rather than spending time in idle gossip, let's hope AC interim headmaster Dr. John Bartlett and interim athletics director Steve Price can find another great coach to carry on the successful tradition Gold started.