Parker dismissed as PC coach

By Staff
Scot Beard
For the second straight year, the Phil Campbell football team will head into summer workouts with a new coach after the Franklin County School System delivered a letter of non-renewal to current coach Michael Parker Monday.
Superintendent Gary Williams would not discuss the reasons for the decision, citing it was a personnel matter. The termination is effective the last day of the school year.
"We posted the job (opening) yesterday evening," Williams said. "We are advertising it on the AHSAA (job board) and through regular advertising processes. We hope to find best available coach as soon as possible."
Parker declined to comment, saying he wanted to let it be and move on.
Parker took over a Bobcat program that finished the 2007 season with a 0-10 record. In his only year at Phil Campbell, the team was 1-9 with many of the losses coming by less than 14 points.
"He gave us a hard work ethic and passion," said Jordan Benford, who was the Bobcat's quarterback in 2008. "I'm surprised they would want to get rid of him when he was making such a difference."
Many players were rumored to be upset about the decision and were talking about quitting the team.
Benford verified many players have talked about quitting, but he thinks it is a knee-jerk reaction to the decision.
He was not surprised many of the players felt the way they did.
"We were all upset. It didn't seem like it was fair, but life isn't fair," Benford said. "I only have good things to say about coach Parker. He was a man you didn't want to let down."
Benford said if many of the players decide not to come back next season it could hurt the program. He said being a Class 2A school Phil Campbell needs as many players as possible in order to be competitive on the field.
While Benford and many of the players are upset by the decision, they understand the school system is looking out for their best interests.
"The board has to do what they think is best," Benford said. "He was trying to show us so much and we were accomplishing so much. I didn't agree (with the board's decision)."