In a matter of two days, Warren County High School went from having two basketball coaches to none.
Pioneer boys coach John Dillard resigned Thursday after one season at Warren County while  Erick Baird was told Friday his contract wouldn’t be renewed after five years with the Lady Pioneers.
Warren County High School athletic director Todd Willmore issued a press release Friday announcing both moves. In his statement about Dillard’s resignation, Willmore said, “John plans to pursue other coaching opportunities in the basketball profession. We wish John the best in the future and thank him for his service to the student-athletes and school.”
The decision to not renew Baird’s contract was one Willmore said was “based on an overall evaluation of the program and this is a personnel decision we feel is in the best interest of our basketball program.”
In the statement concerning Baird, Willmore added, “Warren County High School would like to thank Erick for is service to the community. We know Erick will find success in his next endeavor and wish him luck as he transitions into that role.”
Dillard finished 7-23 in his lone season with the Pioneers while Baird amassed a 66-92 record over five years.
Baird led Warren County to the regional tournament twice – including the school playing host to a regional tournament game for the first time in nearly two decades against Walker Valley in 2011. The Lady Pioneers also played in the regional tournament in 2012.
Warren County advanced to the District 6-AAA tournament finals in 2011.
The Lady Pioneers were coming off a season where the team finished 17-15 despite being picked to finish last in District 6-AAA. Warren County also snapped decade-long losing streaks at White County and Coffee County during the year.
Baird said he was told late Thursday afternoon of the decision to part ways and, despite being given the choice, he would not offer a resignation.
“I wasn’t going to quit on my girls. I told them they would have to fire me,” said Baird.
School officials did Friday morning.
The search for new basketball coaches will start Monday. The positions will be posted Monday afternoon and the school plans on accepting applications until March 28. An initial screening process is set to begin Monday, March 31.
Willmore said a small committee will be assembled for the interview process and the school hopes to have coaches in place by the end of April or early May.