The applications are in.
Now it’s up to school officials to select the next WCHS football coach.
According to Warren County athletic director Todd Willmore, 18 candidates submitted an application during the five-day period the position was posted. The school system began accepting applications Monday and stopped Friday.
Of the 18 applicants, Willmore said two are local and six others have a connection to Warren County or live in close proximity to our community.
“Our goal is to narrow the field of candidates and begin the interview process next week,” Willmore said Friday.
Director of Schools Bobby Cox said the interview process is expected to begin Monday as school officials look to have a new coach in place by Christmas break, which starts Dec. 19. As with previous hiring searches, there will be a committee to interview the candidates.
Cox said this committee will consist of Willmore, WCHS executive principal Jimmy Walker, and School Board member Scott Holmes, who chairs the Athletic Committee. Cox said he will not take an active role in the interview process and will receive a recommendation from the committee.
“It’s been a quick turnaround, but I think we can get a good coach in place from this group,” said Cox.
The sudden hiring search comes after coach Scott Smith announced the day before Thanksgiving he would be leaving Warren County after one year to take a similar job in Franklin County. He compiled a 4-6 record here.
When Smith was hired, the school system received over 60 applications for the job.