Perryville seeking new football coach

PERRYVILLE -- Perryville high school is searching for a new head football coach after Rick Chastain submitted a letter of resignation at the school district's last board meeting.

Perryville assistant superintendent Russell Leek, who confirmed Chastain's decision to step down, said Tuesday that the school hopes to replace the coach by its February board meeting.

Leek would neither confirm nor deny whether the board was discussing the termination of Chastain's post prior to receiving the resignation letter, which the board accepted.

He added that it did not come as a surprise to him that Chastain decided to step down after the recent 4-6 season.

"I don't know if I could say it was a surprise," Leek said. "We had a record that wasn't a winning record, and any time you have that you're never sure what's going to happen."

Chastain did not return phone messages inquiring about his decision to resign and his plans for next year.

Chastain posted a combined 17-34 record in his five years at the helm and won a district title with the Pirates in 2004.

It was his second stint with the program. He also coached the Pirates between 1985 and 1990, winning two district titles.