Parkers Chapel has promoted from within to fill two of its vacancies in their athletic department.
Parkers Chapel baseball coach Mark Looney takes over as the school’s athletic director and Josh Willeford has been selected as the Trojans’ new football coach.
The moves were finalized on Friday.
“Elliot (Jacobs) decided to take a different position and go to a new school district,” Looney said. “That obviously left the AD and head football positions open. With me being the longest tenured coach here at 26 years and knowing how the school operates and so forth, I was offered the position by Mr. (John) Gross and took it. It officially goes into effect June 1.
“He and I did talk this morning and he decided that the best candidate to be the next head football coach was Josh Willeford, so we offered him that position and he took it this morning.”
Willeford had served as the Trojans’ defensive coordinator before becoming PC’s new head coach.
“Josh has been here five years now,” Looney said. “He knows the kids, he knows the school. We just felt like he was the best candidate to take over for Elliot. He deserved it, and I will do the absolute best I can to help all of the coaches here and what they need and support them and our student-athletes.”
Looney added that he and Josh Langley, PC’s boys basketball coach, will continue their roles as assistant coaches on the football staff.
Looney also said Willeford will have a few more coaching roles as well, including being the head coach for the track and powerlifting teams.
“At this point, yes,” Looney said of Willeford being the school’s track coach.
“He’s also going to run our powerlifting team. Coach Langley will be also helping with track and field.”
Looney added that he is looking for an assistant coach to help with football, basketball and baseball.
“We’re still looking to hire one more coach,” Looney said. “I’ve got my eyes on a couple. We hope to fill that position sometime next week.”