Mark Wattenbarger, who has coached Sequatchie County for the past three seasons has informed the team and school administrators he is stepping down. It marks the second straight day a Chattanooga-area prep football head coach has resigned after Derrick Davis stepped down from McMinn Central on Monday after two seasons.
"I really struggled with this decision but I just felt like it was time for me to step away and let someone else take over the program," Wattenbarger said. "This is a very passionate football community and I'm sure they will find a good choice to run things. The timing is not ideal, I know, but the more I thought about it I just believe it was time to step away."
Wattenbarger compiled a 16-17 overall record at Sequatchie, going 8-4 in his first season and 6-5 the next, with playoff losses to Red Bank each of those years. Last year, injuries took a toll and the Indians finished 2-8. The string of injuries included having five players go down in one 12-minute span.
Wattenbarger came to Sequatchie County from Stone Memorial, where he had two undefeated regular seasons in three years and coached for nine total season. His career record stands at 110-124 with coaching stints also at Cumberland County and Harriman.
Wattenbarger is finalizing plans to join the Rhea County staff as an offensive assistant, which is also where Davis accepted a job on Monday as a defensive assistant.
The Chattanooga area now has three programs - McMinn Central, Sequatchie County and Tyner - who are currently searching for a new head coach.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.