JCCHS wants new football coach by late February or early March

Athletic director Jason Holcombe said Monday that the school plans to make a hire by late February or early March.

Former coach Billy Kirk resigned last Wednesday (Nov. 30), ending a five-year coaching stint at JCCHS that was tied for the longest in school history. The search for Kirk’s replacement won’t start in earnest until after Christmas holidays, but the school is accepting résumés now. It “easily” has over 20 applicants so far, according to Holcombe.

“We’ve had a lot of interest, both in applications and also phone calls,” Holcombe said. “It’s been sought after very quickly.”

Jackson County’s administrative committee will conduct the search.

Jackson County hasn’t had a winning season since 1992. Kirk produced back-to-back four-win campaigns in 2009 and 2010 during his two best seasons at JCCHS. The school is seeking someone that can get the football program to the next level.

“We’re looking for kind of the total package,” Holcombe said. “We want somebody who is a great leader. We want somebody who is a team builder and will be able to take our program from where it is now and take a step forward.”

Holcombe pointed to Kirk’s contributions during his five years.

“He took it from the year of the split (to form East Jackson) and got it to this point,” he said. “And we’re looking for someone who can step in now and take it beyond that.”

Previous head coaching experience is a plus but isn’t required, according to Holcombe. He said the school seeks an individual with many talents, not just X’s and O’s smarts. Those intangibles include community skills, team-building skills and fundraising skills.

“You’ve got to be the Michelangelo, the renaissance man,” Holcombe said. “(That) is what we’re looking for.”

Holcombe further explained: “We’re wanting them to be the renaissance man and supportive of all of our programs. Not just when they’re football players, but if they’re in the band or if they’re in the play in our drama department or if they’re on the baseball team or things of that nature. You’ve got to be a well-round individual.”

On top of everything, the new coach must be a “great teacher,” he said.

“You’ve got to be a great teacher,” Holcombe said. “If you’re a great teacher, that says a lot right there.”

Holcombe feels Jackson County’s size and facilities, among other things, will appeal to potential candidates.

“The size is a good size,” Holcombe said. “We’re not too small, but we’re not too big. We have facilities that we’re working on.”

Those plans include possible renovations to the football stadium and a new gym — which Holcombe said is “in the works” — that would include a new weight room.

The athletic director stressed that the administration will take its time making this decision.

“We’re not going to make a rash, quick decision,” Holcombe said. “We’re going to look at different aspects of different individuals and we’re going to try to make the best decision that will help take Jackson County Panther football to that next step.”