Following two long weeks and 10 longer interviews, the search for Greenville High School’s new head football coach appears to be drawing to a close.

Greenville High School principal Joseph Dean has conducted interviews with a number of candidates from all walks of life in the wake of former head football coach Earnest Hill’s resignation, and it’s a prospect that is very nearly a full-time job in and of itself.

“To be totally honest, it has been a daunting task, but a task that I feel that’s well worth it,” Dean said. “We’ve actually considered everyone that has shown interest in us.  We’ve had a plethora of applicants with a wealth of experience and everyone from new coaches to 25-30-plus year coaches have applied for the position.  A lot of coaches are native to this area, and some only know of Greenville from the opening for the position.”

With time being a heavy factor, Dean has taken the liberty of establishing a committee consisting of a well-rounded community leaders to alleviate the decision-making process:  documented Greenville High School staff member Todd Henderson, local minister Herbert Brown, fellow administrator Curtis Black, Greenville High School Alumnus Robert Blankenship, and Rodney and Jean Bush, two representatives from the Tiger Pride Booster Club.

As a group, the committee will reach a unanimous decision to select one candidate from the 10 applicants to offer the position.

But a winning season isn’t the only criteria Dean and his committee are looking for in a new head coach.

“For any coach, we’re looking for someone that can serve as a father figure for a lot of young men and young women that will be involved in Greenville High athletics,” Dean said.

“We’re looking for someone that wants to be in Greenville—someone that wants to be here long term, and not just use Greenville as a stepping stone. But I feel good about the applicants that applied for the position, and I feel confident that we’ll find a coach that will serve Greenville High School well.”

Another case for a speedy decision concerns plans for spring training, as well as the previously scheduled spring game slated for May 9.

Whether the game will be played is a determination that the new coach will make, once a consensus has been reached.

Following the necessary background and reference checks, Dean and his committee are looking to have a hiring recommendation ready for Butler County Superintendent Amy Bryan to suggest to the Board of Education by Thursday, but that timeline isn’t yet set in stone.

“I’m not going to say it’s not, but every passing moment I’m hoping that we can expedite the process to get someone in here as soon as possible to get the program back going and give these kids a plan of action moving forward.”