Ridgeland High School head football coach Mark Mariakis announced his resignation Monday.The search for a new head football coach at Ridgeland High School will end in the next three weeks, and if there's one thing those involved in choosing Mark Mariakis' successor have learned, it's just how much things have changed in 11 years.
A program that few outside the northwest Georgia area had even heard of when Mariakis took over is now regarded so highly that it took weeks just to go through the applications. A field that started at nearly 100 is down to five, according to Mariakis, who is part of the search committee. Final interviews are scheduled for Jan. 12-13, and the job will be filled before the end of that week.
"We have two from outside the program and three inside the program who will interview," said Mariakis, who has been asked not to reveal the names of the candidates. "It's been quite the process. We were pushing 100 physical applications, and there were many more that called to inquire about it."
Ridgeland principal Glen Brown naturally has been pleased with the interest. He said each finalist fits one major requirement.
"We want a character-centered man who will lead our student-athletes on and off the field," Brown said. "Mark set a high bar of excellence in that regard, and we expect nothing less from the person we hire. It's certainly a highly desired position."
Mariakis, who won 72 games and four region titles at Ridgeland, said coaches from throughout the South and as far away as Connecticut applied. Those who were interviewed had to answer one basic question.
"The very first question to everybody outside the program I interviewed was, 'Why Ridgeland?'" Mariakis said. "The answer nearly everybody gave was, 'Why would you not want it?'
"It makes you feel good that you helped create something special, and I know it will be in good hands."
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296.