SIKESTON -- Sikeston Bulldog head football coach Jerry Dement will not be returning to the sidelines next season.
After three years at the helm and more than 15 years as an assistant, Dement turned in his resignation to the school board on Tuesday.
"I've been involved in Sikeston football as a player or coach since I was in eighth grade," said Dement. "I enjoyed my opportunity and I wish whoever takes over the program the best of luck. I want to thank the Sikeston school system for allowing me the opportunity to be the head football coach the last few years. But it's time for them to move in a new direction."
Dement's Bulldogs compiled a three-year record of 6-24, including 2-8 this past season.
He said he feels the program is headed in the right direction and will be in good shape for Sikeston's next football coach.
"I think there's some good things that are going to happen for Sikeston football the next couple years," said Dement. "I think the program is on it's way up. I wish whoever takes over the program good luck. Whoever comes in and takes it over will have some great kids to work with. This is a wonderful place to teach and coach."
Dement said he will still remain at the school as the head track and field coach, which he has built into an area power, and as a teacher.
Dement graduated from Sikeston High School in 1975 and got his first coaching gig as an assistant under Charlie Vickery a few years later. As an assistant for the Bulldogs, he was a part of numerous playoff teams and winning seasons.
He also was the head coach at Malden where he compiled a four-year record of 30-12, including two playoff teams. He then coached at Cape Central where he went 31-29 in six years before coming back to Sikeston as an assistant in 1999.