By By ROBERT BLANKENSHIP – Managing Editor
W.S. Neal coach Jim Fountain announced on Thursday that he was resigning as the leader of the Blue Eagles' football program and as the school's athletic director.
Fountain has had two stints as the head football coach at W.S. Neal. The latest began six years ago. Fountain's last season saw the Blue Eagles go 6-4 in the regular season while missing the cut for a playoff birth.
While he has resigned his positions in the athletic department, he will continue teaching history at the school.
W.S. Neal Principal Phillip Ellis praised Fountain's tenure as the lead Blue Eagle.
Ellis said the search for a new head coach will begin as soon as possible as he would like to have someone in place in time for spring training.
According to Ellis, Fountain will continue in the capacity of football coach and athletic director until the end of the school year or until a new coach is found.
While Ellis said he would have to meet with Escambia County Superintendent Melvin "Buck" Powell regarding the search for a new coach, he said a committee would likely be formed to find the right person for the job.
Ellis said the coach would have to meet certain criteria, which would include being certified to teach the particular academic courses that are open at W.S. Neal.
Ellis said they will be looking for certain qualities during the search.
Several assistants from the current Blue Eagle staff has informed Ellis that they planned to apply for the job.
Attempts to contact Fountain for comment were not successful.