Five coaches, including three head coaches and two assistant football coaches, will not return to coach at Escambia County High School in the fall.

ECHS athletic director and head football coach Royce Young said that baseball coach Michael Parker has retired, boys basketball coach Terrence Walker has taken a job at T.R. Miller, and softball coach Stephanie Adams will remain a teacher at the school but does not plan to coach next year.

Also, assistant football coaches Al Gilmore and B.J. Baker have taken jobs elsewhere. Walker also served as an assistant football coach, in addition to his basketball coaching duties.

“It’s tough to lose so many good coaches, but it’s something that all programs go through,” Young said.

Young said that the hiring process is already underway, and some candidates have already been interviewed. He noted that one problem is that the school system has teaching openings, but many of them are in subjects where it is hard to find coaches.

“We have teaching units available, but they are in subjects like math and special education,” Young said. “There aren’t usually a lot of coaches who major in those fields.”

Young said he was happy that volleyball coach Sarah Lindsey has agreed to return for next season, and Kenny Lindsey will once again serve as an assistant coach for several sports including football. Also, assistant football coach Raymond Robinson is returning for another season.

“I don’t know what I’d do without (Lindsey and Robinson) back,” Young said. “They have been a huge help during the summer workouts.”