RYAN S. CLARK
Published 12:00 am, Tuesday, December 16, 2008
A stipulation created by the Port Neches-Groves ISD Board could limit the number of applicants as it takes another step today in its search for a new football coach/athletic director.
The board requires applicants to have a valid Texas teaching certificate with physical education endorsement required, five years of teaching and coaching experience and – most notably – a master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Kelly coach Mike Long, a PN-G assistant under Matt Burnett from 1996 to 2004, said he is interested in the job but cannot apply because he does not have a master’s degree.
“That kicks me out,” said Long, at Kelly since 2005. “That, of course, knocks a lot of people out. I know most of the people I know that are coaches don’t have (a master’s degree), but I am sure there are a whole bunch that do.”
The PN-G ISD board is scheduled to form an interviewing committee today, and the committee will receive training Jan. 7, according to a timeline provided by PN-G.
Having a master’s degree is not required by state law, but it can be deemed necessary by a school board, said PN-G ISD Superintendent Lani Randall.
The board decided at a recent meeting that a master’s degree was necessary for the position, Randall said.
So far, the PN-G ISD has not received any applications, Randall said.
“I think after all these playoff games are over, which some of them they’ve ended, people will have more time to think about it,” Randall said. “That way it gives them a chance to see if they are applying or not.”
PN-G ISD board members Harvey R. Brown, James E. Green and Carol Broussard did not return phone messages Tuesday.
Board member Gary Stretcher deferred questions to Rusty Brittain, who did not return phone messages at home or work.
Long said that choice would hinder the number of applicants PN-G could get for the position.
“Because when you have a stipulation of a master’s degree, that hurts,” he said. “They want to get the best guy. That is what any school wants to do but with that one stipulation it could hurt them.”
Former coach and athletic director Matt Burnett went 96-65 during 15-year tenure at the school before being reassigned in November.
Central coach Donald Stowers and West Brook coach Craig Stump, both of whom have master’s degree, told The Enterprise they are not interested in the job.
According to a timetable provided by PN-G ISD, the application deadline is Jan. 9 and applications will be reviewed Jan. 12.
The first round of interviews will run from Jan. 19 to Jan. 23. The second round of interviews will be Jan. 30 to Feb. 3.
A candidate will be recommended to the board Feb. 10. The new coach/athletic director’s first day on the job will be March 2, according to the schedule.
Randall said the board picked March 2 as a start date to allow a new coach to conduct spring practices.
“You know there is a great deal of interest and great deal of excitement,” Randall said. “The (fans) that I’ve talked to say they want this person to be a very student-focused motivator. Someone who is a good role model that students can look up to and can bring out the best players in carrying on the tradition.”
