MOUNT VERNON — The selection
process for Mount Vernon High School’s next football coach is about to
take the next step.
With all applications in, the school will soon begin going through all candidates
to determine the right fit.
But first, the school has to know exactly what it’s going to offer the
selected candidate.
Mount Vernon High School Principal Kathy Kasler said that, ideally, the school
would like to offer a teaching position as well as head coaching duties.
“We really don’t know where that stands,” Kasler said.
Thursday’s Mount Vernon school board meeting should go a long way in determining
this. The meeting could decide whether the school will eliminate some sports,
or switch to a “pay-to-play” format. The board will also have to
determine if there is a teaching position open for the 2011-12 school year.
Kasler says it isn’t necessary for the next head coach to actually teach
at the school.
“If a candidate has a full-time position close by, that can be acceptable,” Kasler
said. “We have to weigh these things in. What’s important is how
they interact with the students.”
Regardless of what will be offered along with the coaching job, some viable candidates — head
coaches, assistant coaches, even principals and athletic directors — have
submitted their names. Some of those names are familiar with the Mount Vernon
community.
Standing out are Mount Vernon assistant coaches Brian Gastin and Jerry Williams.
Gastin is the current junior varsity coach and defensive coordinator. Williams
has been offensive coordinator for the Yellow Jackets for the past two seasons;
before that, he coached at Big Walnut.
For the full story, click here for the February 8, 2011 e-edition
