Bell leaving Bulldogs for DAR job

By Staff
Scot Beard
BELGREEN – For the second time in a week a varsity sports program at a Franklin County High School found out it would have a new coach when school resumes next year.
Dan Bell, the coach of the Belgreen boys basketball team, was scheduled to meet with his players Tuesday to announce he was leaving the Bulldog program to take a job at DAR.
Phil Campbell football coach Michael Parker was given a letter of non-renewal from the Franklin County School System last Monday.
Attempts by The Franklin County Times to contact Bell were unsuccessful, but Belgreen principal Steve Pounders spoke about the news.
"We found out last week he was going to (leave)," Pounders said. "It is closer to his home and is a good size pay raise."
Bell spent one year with the Bulldogs and left a strong impression on the players and the community.
Pounders said he has heard word throughout the community that the fans felt Bell was a good coach.
"The community would like for him to stay, but it is coach Bell's decision," Pounders said.
Pounders also said there are not any candidates yet for the vacancy created by Bell's departure.
Bell came to the Bulldogs after serving two years as an assistant coach at Hazel Green. Before that he was the head coach at Bob Jones.
"He did a good job," Pounders said. "The kids enjoyed the style of play he brought into the system.