Jones, Ridenour Out At HHS

Even in the 21st Century, most businesses seeking additional or new employees go about the search utilizing proven and established methods.
They'll go to a job head hunter agency, or perhaps browse online for employment search engines.
But for the most part, most folks leaf through the classifieds of a particular periodical.
Apparently, Hernando High is satisfied with FHSAA.org classifieds. That's why it recently chose to post an advertisement seeking a new head football coach.
However, one teeny, tiny problem exists on the Bell Ave. campus -- it already has a head football coach in Rodney Byrd.
Or does it?
Why advertise for a position that's already filled?
Exactly what message is the incoming Leopard administration sending to Byrd -- an HHS alumnus and a veteran physical education instructor -- and his staff on the Purple and Gold's first day of spring football practice?
"I know Ken (Pritz) personally. He's a good guy. I can't believe he's done this," said one county athletic director. "Regardless of what you may think of Rodney's efforts there (Byrd), no one should be treated like that. He's left hanging, so is his staff.
"I think it would have been better to address any issues or problems and if there was no closure, then you seek a clean break."
According to Assistant Principal Brent Gaustad on Wednesday, it's simply a fresh approach with a new boss at the helm.
Earlier this spring, HHS Principal Betty Harper was reassigned by county school officials. She's onboard at HHS through June.
Enter new thinking
Former HHS Assistant Principal Ken Pritz, 50, is returning to his old digs as the new principal and is asking the entire coaching staff to in essence, "reapply" for their old positions.
Asked to give his stance, Pritz defended the new selection process on Thursday.
"We followed the county's union contract by posting all coaching positions on April 16. I'm coming in as a new principal and I want to be actively involved in the decision-making process," clarified Pritz. "I have limited teaching positions on staff. I want to be able to control any open teaching positions and staff openings. I want to be able to control coaches, sponsors, department heads and supplements.
"Since the bottom line falls back on me, I want to be able to have input on the decision making (coaches' hiring) process," he added. "We're going to go with a committee approach for two high profile positions: football and (boys) basketball. I probably looked at 15 (football) resumes yesterday. We're going into the process with an open mind."
But wasn't a committee approach also utilized last year in the search for Byrd?
According to committee sources, Port St. Joe High School's current football coach and athletic director, John Palmer, was at the head of their lists last winter. Palmer has roots in Brooksville.
According to these same sources, the ultimate hiring decision boiled down to Ms. Harper. And she chose a Leopard loyalist (Byrd) to reign over the program.
Unfortunately, Byrd's first season ended up 2-8 overall. It marked HHS' fifth straight losing season.
More importantly, in that stretch the 17-time county champion Leopards are a combined 2-11 overall over the past five years against county competition.
So HHS is going back to square one seeking the right candidate for the school's 27th head football coach since 1939.
"I heard about some of those complaints from the community," said Pritz. "But I wasn't here last year nor was I involved in the final decision. When I form a committee I will trust its decision. I'm gonna weigh its recommendation very heavily, but you still have to have (final) discretion on a hire of that kind."
And Byrd's current status?
"He is our coach and will serve in that capacity through the spring game," answered Pritz. "If he's reappointed, we'll welcome him to stay at Hernando High and help us attain our goals. We want to create a winner at HHS, but we also want student/athletes with high character -- and not necessarily in that order. Ultimately, we'd like a football program second to none.
"Either way we go (with Byrd), Rodney has told me he'd be supportive."
Jones, Ridenour out
The new approach, however, will not include the services of Athletic Director Marion Jones or the return of Fox Chapel's Chris Ridenour, who guided the Leopards to a 1-25 won-lost mark in boys' basketball.
On Jones, "All I can say is Marion will not be assigned to Hernando High next year. He's not coming back. It's an HR (human resources) issue."