By Staff
Tim Cottrell
With the deadline for applications nearing, Escambia County High School Principal Jerry Smith is pleased with the current crop of candidates for the Big Blue's vacant head football coaching position.
"So far we've gotten 35 applicants," Smith said Wednesday. "We still have two more days to receive applications and I believe we could get as many as 50."
The position became available after former ECHS coach Marty McDole resigned in mid-December.
Smith was also especially pleased with the quality of candidates applying for the job.
"Not only did we not have near as many people applying last time, we also didn't have as many high-caliber people applying," he said. "I think that's important. I'm also happy that people want to come here rather than us having to find someone."
Smith said things looked good for finding a coach quickly, a necessity with spring practice fast approaching.
"We believe we will have someone hired within the next month," Smith said. "It will definitely be important to get someone in here quickly, as it is crucial to our kids to have spring practice. We want our kids to have to best opportunity for a good season."
Smith said he would begin looking into potential candidates next week.
"The application process ended Friday and next week we will decide who to interview," he said.
The Big Blue finished last season with a 3-7 record, losing to Elmore County in the first round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association's Class 4A state playoffs.