Hiring freeze halts Mosley coach search

LYNN HAVEN - Mosley's search for its next head baseball coach has run cold.

That's not to say the job is without interest. The opposite is true.

It's a reflection on Bay District Schools' recent decision to impose a hiring freeze in response to State Legislature budget cuts. The move has put a hold on any interviews for the position, which came open with the resignation of Mike Williams on April 30. Williams spent two years as coach, leading the Dolphins to the District 2-5A championship last season.

The previous coaching search to replace Doug Lee in 2006 was finished by June, which coincides with the opening of summer baseball workouts. Mosley Athletic Director Tim Jennings didn't know when the current search would be complete due to the district's decision.

"Pretty much everything is at a standstill," Jennings said. "This certainly means we can't make a choice until after it's up or until we know where we stand."

Mosley Principal Bill Husfelt believes the hiring freeze won't last long. He said he has other supplement positions that need to be filled, and he's confident they will be soon. The position of baseball coach also is a supplemental position, meaning they will teach while receiving a stipend for their athletic duties.

Jennings also hoped for a quick resolution, allowing a new coach to be in place to oversee the summer program. Mosley assistant coach Clint Whitfield will handle summer duties until the new coach is in place, Jennings said.

Advertising for the position has expired within Bay District Schools. The policy is for the advertisement to run 10 days in the district. Afterwards the position may be advertised at any outside source, such as on the Florida High School Athletic Association Web site.

However, Jennings said no outside ads have been posted. That has done little to curb the response, though, as he said he has received numerous resumes and inquiries from coaches outside Bay County and the state of Florida. He didn't go into specifics, but said the crop of coaches, which includes some county applicants, is strong.