By Robert Hudson

The Selma Times-Journal

There’s no official timeline set to fill the vacant head coaching positions at Dallas County and Southside high schools.

However, both positions are expected to be filled before the start of fall practice.

“We’ll definitely have someone in place at both schools before the start of school and fall practice,” said Don Willingham, assistant superintendent of Dallas County Schools. “Hopefully we’ll have the positions filled within the next couple of weeks.”

The two schools are without coaches after Dallas County coach Darryl Burns’ position was not renewed due to a loss of teaching units at the state level for all schools and Southside coach Lemuel Jones decided to retire.

In order to maintain core teaching positions, such as history, science and math, the school board cuts elective classes first when teaching units are lost.

Burns was over the elective computer lab class.

Willingham said no one has been interviewed for either coaching position yet, but summer weight training and workout programs are already in progress at each school by way of the current assistant coaches so neither team gets behind.

He said the school board has already asked the principals of both schools for their recommendation of who on the current staff should fill the head coaching spot.

“The principals have made recommendations of the top candidates and we’ll eventually interview the top candidates,” Willingham said. “We’ve got some good assistants on hand now.”

Dallas County High School lost two teaching units due to budget cuts, but hiring from outside the current staffs has not been ruled out.

However, any coach hired from outside would have to fill an open teaching unit.

Willingham said the board also has to fill some administrative positions before it can deal with the two open coaching spots.

“The week after next we’ll reconvene the board to approve any administrative positions, such as assistant principal positions,” Willingham said. “Hopefully, during the same meeting we’ll be able to recommend two new coaches.  I anticipate we’ll have someone in place for each position soon.”