Williams resigns at Ooltewah

photo Shannon Williams has resigned from coaching at Ooltewah High School.

Ooltewah High School football coach Shannon Williams has resigned.

"He has a wonderful opportunity in Florida," school principal Mark Bean said Wednesday afternoon. "I can't say enough great things about Shannon as a teacher and a football coach."

Williams put together a 21-14 record in three seasons and led the Owls to the third round of the Class 5A playoffs in 2012.

"He stepped in behind a legend (Benny Monroe) and our football program is better because of having Shannon as our head coach," Bean said.

Williams is headed to Walton High in Defuniak Springs where he will be an offensive assistant.

"It was more of a location thing than anything else," Williams said. "My wife and I often vacation in that area and I knew if we got this opportunity that we'd probably go. I didn't know if I would get another opportunity or when, but this is a great place. This is the toughest decision I've ever made."

In his first year replacing Monroe, Williams suffered through a 4-6 effort, the school's first losing season in nine years, but the following two seasons yielded playoff appearances and records of 8-4 and 9-4.

"I'm happy to have had the opportunity to work with him for three years," Bean said.

Said Williams: "I think the program is in pretty good shape."

Bean indicated that Ooltewah would begin the replacement search immediately.

"We'll be making phone calls and going through the process with the central office and we'll get the best football coach we can find," he said.

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