The Ellwood Christian Academy school board unanimously voted last month to terminate Eric Martinear as the school’s head football coach.

Martiner was arrested Feb. 5 and charged with engaging in a sex act with a student under the age of 19 and electronic solicitation of a child, according to the Selma Police Department. District Court Judge Bob Armstrong issued a continuance in the case Tuesday and reset it until March 31 at 9 a.m., according to District Attorney Michael Jackson.

Four days after the arrest, Ellwood Christian attorney Patrick Arrington said the coach had been suspended without pay, pending further investigation.

Ellwood Christian headmaster the Rev. Gary Crum said the school’s seven member board voted soon after to terminate Martinear. In an interview with the Times-Journal before his arrest, Martinear said he was fired Jan. 22, but Crum said that was not when the decision was made.

Meanwhile, after having his bond revoked in early February, Martinear remains in the Dallas County Jail, and Ellwood Christian is trying to turn the page. Crum said the school is in the midst of interviewing candidates for its open head football coaching position.

“We’ve had about 20 applicants and believe it or not, it’s from all across the country and not just around here,” Crum said. “We’re excited about that. We should be able to name a good coach soon.”

Crum said the school is not taking a different approach to its hiring process after the situation with Martinear, who was hired despite having a felony charge for second-degree receiving stolen property.

“We just want to make sure whoever we hire has the program and this community’s best interest at heart and can build a championship program,” Crum said. “That’s what it’s all about.”

Despite all of the news off the field, whoever the next coach at Ellwood Christian is will try to build on the momentum the program finished with last season.

Under Martinear, Ellwood qualified for the Alabama High School Athletic Association playoffs for the first time and won the school’s first AHSAA playoff game.

Both of Martinear’s charges are Class B felonies.

If convicted he could face up to 20 years in prison and $30,000 in fines, SPD Lt. Curtis Muhannad said in a previous interview with the Times-Journal.