By By Matthew Nascone
Escambia County High School offensive line coach and physical education teacher John Williford resigned from the high school earlier this week.
"I want to thank the parents, the faculty and staff for a great time here at ECHS," Williford said. "I am trying to pursue a job closer to my family in Mississippi."
Williford is seeking a job as a football or basketball coach and P.E. teacher. He said he will miss everyone at ECHS, but there are two people he had a special bond with.
"On a daily basis I will miss interacting with Kelby (Amos) and Ms. Schemenia Reynolds the most," he said. "But overall I will miss Mr. (Kyle) Ferguson, the coaching staff and all the players I was able to get close with."
In his year at the high school Williford was the offensive line coach of the football team and a P.E. chairperson. He also helped with the special education class and got the class involved in the Escambia County Special Olympics.
Williford also organized the ECHS Spring Fling for the end of the school year and ECHS principal Kyle Ferguson said Williford's organizational skills are what he liked about him.
"He was very well organized and he had a unique personality," Ferguson said. "He was a good worker and a lot of fun to be around. He did a good job as a teacher and I appreciate all the hard work he did for us."
On the football field head football coach Kyle Davis said Williford was a great coach.
"He was a great coach and we will miss him a great deal," Davis said. "He was very well organized and the team will miss his coaching abilities when next season comes around."
Williford's official last day was June 5.