Former Linton-Stockton boys basketball coach Joey Hart to take over at Cloverdale

A controversial hire was made by the Cloverdale school board by a narrow 4-3 vote.

Former Linton-Stockton boys basketball coach Joey Hart is the new head coach of the Cloverdale boys basketball program.

The opening was created when Karl Turk stepped down to continue work on his PhD. (https://putnamcountypost.com/sports/744056)

Hart was the head coach of the state's second-ranked 2A boys basketball team at the time of his an arrest mid-season that saw him removed as head coach. Hart was charged with public intoxication after being arrested by the Clay County Sheriff's Department in one incident. Hart was found unconcious in his car near Coalmont in the 4 a.m. hour. He was initially held on $3,000 bond.

At the time, Hart was suspended from coaching.

In another incident, Hart was pulled over and arrested in Shelby County on the charge of Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated (OVWI).

That prompted a move by the Linton-Stockton program to remove Hart from the basketball program.

 “Linton-Stockton High School Boys Basketball Coach, Joey Hart, has been suspended indefinitely,” according to a press release after the Shelby County arrest by Linton Stockton Schools Superintendent Dr. Kathy Goad. “Assistant Coach Noah Hawkins will take over head coaching duties immediately and until further notice.”

Hart’s contract was not renewed for the 2023-24 school year.

After serving as head coach at Shakamak and Turkey Run, Hart had been head coach at Linton-Stockton since 2011.  He's posted a 258-72 mark at the school and recently won his 400th game as a head coach.

Cloverdale is a combined 4-44 the last two seasons.