Oneida coach Tony Lambert accepted the coaching vacancy at Anderson County yesterday afternoon.

It comes as no surprise that Lambert is going back to the school where he got his start in coaching. He was defensive coordinator at Anderson County for several seasons under Larry Kerr, who retired earlier this month.

Lambert was always considered the top pick to replace Kerr whenever the long-time coach decided to retire. Two years ago, just before he accepted the head coaching job at Oneida, he considered an offer to become essentially a head coach in waiting at Anderson County.

Oneida will sorely miss Lambert. In just two seasons as head coach (and two more before that as defensive coordinator), he helped bring the program back into the limelight. After a decade without hosting a playoff game, Oneida hosted playoff games both years Lambert was head coach, and won their first Region 2-A championship in the 2000s last season en route to an appearance in the state semifinals.

But no one can blame Lambert for accepting the position at Anderson County. I have said it before and firmly believe that Lambert could coach defense at the collegiate level if he so desired. I have no idea if he so desires, but going to a Class 3A program — especially one like Anderson County — is obviously a big step up.

No word yet on who will replace Lambert at Oneida. Sources say that one of the current staff is likely to be promoted. The staff includes offensive coordinator Robert Wright, who has previous head coaching experience, offensive line coach John Brewster, who was a defensive coordinator at White County prior to coming to Oneida, and strength coach Jim Burchfield, who has twice been head coach at Oneida and was head coach for two years prior to Lambert assuming those duties.