[Stardust]

By Adam Turer • [email]kysports@communitypress.com[/email]

One of northern Kentucky’s most successful young coaches is on the move. After leading the football program at Holmes High School for the past four seasons, Stephen Lickert was introduced as the new Campbell County High School head coach on Wednesday, Jan. 19. Lickert replaces Troy Styer, who resigned following the 2010 season.

“This is an opportunity for me to go to a 6A school,” said Lickert. “There are a lot of exciting and positive things going on at Campbell County.”

Two of the things Lickert is most excited about include the number of Camels interested in playing football and the facilities improvements on the horizon at Campbell County High School. After winning district championships at the smaller 4A school, Lickert hopes he can elevate the Camels to district championships against the area’s largest programs.

“Coach Lickert brings a strong will to win to CCHS,” said CCHS principal Renee Boots in a press release. “We are very pleased to have him lead the Camels.”

Just 31 years old, Lickert is now leading his third program. He revitalized the programs at Dayton and Holmes and aims to do the same at Campbell County. He has a championship pedigree, winning a state championship as a player at Highlands and a national championship as a player at Georgetown College. When the Campbell County job opened up, Lickert seized his chance to take over a program in Class 6A.

“When you have an opportunity like this, you jump on it and see where it takes you,” he said.

Leaving Holmes was not easy for Lickert. In his four years leading the Bulldogs, he took the program to three straight playoff appearances and back-to-back district championships.

“It’s always tough,” Lickert said. “You leave a group of kids that you love and care about.”

The eventful week at Campbell County was slowed by two snow days, but Lickert was able to meet with Camels players once after his introduction. He met with the program’s seniors to discuss their goals and expectations. Lickert has not yet started the process of evaluating and assembling his coaching staff, but expects to begin the process soon. He was excited to meet the Camels players and is excited to have so many players on the roster.

“I shared my vision of the program with them,” Lickert said. “We’re going to bring the same basic offensive and defensive system from Holmes, but we’ll do right by our kids based on the personnel we have here.”

Lickert will finish the year teaching at Holmes. Next year, he will teach at Campbell County.

“The toughest part now is not being able to be with the Campbell County kids every day,” he said.

Several coaching mentors have helped Lickert reach this point of his career. He credits Georgetown head coach Bill Cronin, Scott High School head coach and former Georgetown defensive coordinator Dave Campbell, and Holmes Athletic Director Ron Madrick with helping shape his coaching career. Lickert hopes to use his experience to jumpstart the Campbell County program right away. He has high expectations for the program and believes his new players share the same expectations.

“We’re going to get after it,” Lickert said. “We’re not using this year as a learning experience; we’re going to use this season to improve and win some games.”

[MustangSally]

Best of luck coach. Bring some more good football to the Southern half of the county