By Andrew Walsh
awalsh@wbcowqel.com
The Galion High School football program is in search of a new coach after the school board accepted the resignation of Chris Hawkins.
During the work session the board discussed the resignation of head football coach Chris Hawkins. Superintendent Jim Grubbs reiterated the district wishing him the best of luck in his future endeavors as they accepted his official resignation.
A hunt is on for a new football coach, with Grubbs stressing the need to not only find a “quality coach” but maintain the district wide focus of also finding “quality people.” Grubbs noted that this should in no way be interpreted as a slight to the outgoing Hawkins, rather just an underlining of the need to have top shelf people employed wherever possible.
Also during the work session Athletic Director Kyle Baughn gave a quick update as to the upcoming athletic conference situation. Galion is currently in the Mid-Ohio Athletic conference (MOAC). However, this group is about to sustain a fairly substantial shakeup as the entire Blue Division (Morrow and Knox County schools) are set to break away and form a different conference. This would leave the MOAC with only six members, and another of these, Jonathan Alder, looks set to depart as well.
Baughn wanted to counteract some of the rumors circulating the community that plans of joining a different league, or formulating a new one, were imminent. That does not mean that options are not being considered, Baughn spoke of weighing “all viable options” and that a final destination is far from clear.
“A lot depends on what happens with the NOL (Northern Ohio League) and SBC (Sandusky Bay Conference),” Baughn said.
A number of realignments are being rumored between these two conferences, perhaps even a complete merger. Baughn did confirm that they are hoping for a solution that would have Galion in a league with the ideal 8 to 10 school lineup, but that where exactly this might be will be a much clearer picture in the months ahead.
The regular session meeting for February will be at 6:30 p.m., Feb.18, in the Middle School library.