By Chad Hutchinson
The hunt for the next Blissfield head varsity football coach is coming to a close as the list of potential candidates has been narrowed to three finalists. Blissfield’s candidate will have big shoes to fill, as former head coach Ron Estes is handing over the headset and play book after 11 seasons. The incoming head coach will have to deal with the “Estes Expectations” that were set by the former heralded head coach. Estes constructed an impressive 76-39 career record commanding the Royals’ sideline.
Finding a Royal replacement was not an easy task for the search committee that consisted of Blissfield athletic director Steve Babbitt, superintendent Scott Moellenberndt, varsity women’s basketball coach and elementary teacher Ryan Gilbert, high school principal Jerry Johnson and elementary school assistant principal Mike Valasek.
Moellenberndt said approximately 40 applicants had been reviewed for the position, and that the goal was to find a quality head coach, as well as someone who could be a quality candidate to the Blissfield community schools’ teaching staff.
Moellenberndt added that two of the three finalists being considered hail from outside the state of Michigan.
He said he would like to have the next head coach selected before the April 15 school board meeting so that an announcement could be made then.
For the complete story, please see the April 10, 2013, edition of The Advance.