Football: Ozona still looking for a head coach

When Crockett County CCSD superintendent Chris duBois officially signed on to the job June 9, he inherited many vacancies across the school district.

Including the head coach of Ozona High's football team.

The goal is to hire one next week to replace former coach Matt Gutierrez, who resigned coaching and athletic director duties May 28 but stayed as dean of students.

The district will accept applications at the Class 2A school until this afternoon, duBois said, adding that he strongly prefers to make a recommendation at a school board meeting 6:30 p.m. Wednesday or 7 a.m. Friday.

Four interviews are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. Three are current head coaches at the Class 2A and 1A levels, and one is a Class 4A offensive coordinator and former Class 2A head coach.

 "We're targeting candidates that have done both, in small schools as head coaches and experience as athletic directors," duBois said.

The eight-person interview panel is composed of middle school and high school teachers, two school board members, high school principal Carole Allen and duBois.

The Lions participate in District 4-2A, along with Crane, Alpine and Kermit.

Ozona went 3-17 in Gutierrez's two years at the helm of the program, including last season's 0-10 mark.

Because of how late the search for a new coach is, duBois said the interview panel has to "work smartly and expeditiously to bring in a coach."