Choctaw County High school is in the market for a football coach following the resignation of Ben Ashley.
The Choctaw County School District placed an advertisement on the Mississippi High School Activities Association website stating “Choctaw County High School has a job vacancy for a head football coach. Candidates should email resume and teaching certificate to Jim Wood at jimwood@choctaw.k12.ms.us or call 662-312-6365.”
Wood is Choctaw County's athletic director, having replaced Ashley in that position last month.
School superintendent Glenn Beard said Wood and Choctaw County principal Amber Vowell will interview prospective candidates and make a recommendation to Beard, who in turn will make a recommendation to the county school board.
“We're going to move as fast as we can because we have spring football coming up,” Beard said.
The school board meets the second Monday of every month. Board approval is needed before a coach can be hired.
Beard said the school system began receiving calls and emails concerning the position right after it was advertised. “It's going to be a popular spot.”
Ashley served as Choctaw County football coach for two years. He declined to give reasons for his resignation “out of respect for the superintendent and principal.”
In his first year, the Chargers finished 10-3, including 5-0 in Region 4-3A, and reached the third round of the 3A playoffs. That was a major improvement over the 5-6 record the previous year.
Choctaw County went 8-4 last fall, finished second in 4-3A, and lost in the opening round of the playoffs.
“I'm proud of every minute of it,” Ashley said of his two years as Chargers' coach. “We overachieved and our kids really bought into what we were doing here. They are the best kids I have ever been around. It was just an unbelievable experience here as head coach.”
He feels the future is bright for Choctaw County, saying the Chargers should play for a state championship in 2019,
Ashley hopes to continue coaching and has been contacted by other schools. “Long story short, I have to find a job.”
Wood served as the team's defensive coordinator and will be acting coach until a replacement is hired. Beard said Wood will not be a candidate.
“I think it's going to be someone from outside,” Beard said. “We will just see who applies.”
