When Tammy Richardson retired as Pelham’s coach following the 2006 season, the Panthers were unsure who would follow her legacy. That’s when former assistant coaches Tein Le and Kim Kiel teamed up to lead the program. Their success earns them the shared title of Shelby County Reporter Coach of the Year.

The duo divides coaching duties with Le handling all of the technical skills, and Kiel handling the administrative side of the program and helps talk through decisions with Le. But a lot credit often goes to Le, whether you call him skills coach or co-head coach.

“Tein knows so much about volleyball and what we need to do,” senior Whitney Billings said. “Last year we were trying to learn from him. This year we were trying to do what he expected.”

Le and Kiel led Pelham to a 60-5 season and a No. 37 final ranking in the nation, but fell short in five games to Bob Jones in the Class 6A final.

“Pelham has done real well this year,” Le said, “But every one of us would trade every accomplishment for that state title.”