North Little Rock had the most tumultuous offseason of any program in the winter and spring of 2015.
But Jamie Mitchell has stabilized the program as he heads into his second season in 2016 with the Charging Wildcats.
High school coaching changes
SCHOOL NEW COACH PREVIOUS COACH
Baptist Prep Morgan Cruce Brad Helm
Bauxite Darryl Patton Dustin Prescott
Benton TBA Scott Neathery
Benton Harmony Grove Paul Calley Jimmy “Red” Parker
Bentonville West* Bryan Pratt First year
Bryant Buck James Paul Calley
Camden Fairview Jacob Monden Mike Cox
Carlisle Mark Urihen Jack Keith
Cedarville Max Washausen Kevin Lea
Clarksville TBA Eli Cranor
Dardanelle Phil Vega Josh Price
Dierks Vince Perrin David Bennett
Drew Central TBA Steven Moore
E.Poinsett County Brandon Powell Brian Weathers
Elkins Chad Harbison Thurman Shaw
Fayetteville Bill Blankenship Darryl Patton
Foreman Mark King Neil Evans
Harding Academy Neil Evans Roddy Mote
Harrisburg TBA Keith Davis
Hermitage Chase Ellis Greg Mauldin
Horatio David Bennett Mark King
Huntsville Randy Barnhill Tommy Tice
Jessieville T.J. Burk Don Phillips
Lake Hamilton Jeremy Reed Jerry Clay
Mountain Pine John Counce David Jordan
Paragould Michael Sloas Tim Branum
Pea Ridge TBA Tony Travis
Quitman Brian Narretto Brett Shrable
Rogers Mike Loyd Shawn Flannigan
Rogers Heritage Tony Travis Perry Escalante
Rose Bud Mike Perez Kevin Coleman
Spring Hill Matt McBridge Russell Carter
Stuttgart Josh Price Vince Perrin
Two Rivers TBA Richard Havner
Vilonia Ron Young Michael Stout
*School opens in fall
Mitchell was hired by North Little Rock from Starkville, Miss., in May 2015, a month after the school fired Brad Bolding. With the turmoil surrounding Bolding's departure -- he was alleged to have violated recruiting rules, and inventory and purchasing procedures -- the Charging Wildcats' program was not sure what was going to happen once Mitchell was hired.
North Little Rock started 0-4 but won its final six regular-season games to reach the Class 7A playoffs. The Charging Wildcats defeated Fort Smith Northside in the first round before losing at Bentonville.
Last year's run was beneficial for Mitchell, as 150 players turned out for offseason workouts. He plans to cut the roster to 90 and feels confident North Little Rock is ready to go further than the Class 7A second round.
"The players know what they're doing, that's the biggest difference," Mitchell said. "The coaches know what they're doing. We're going into year two and guys know what their roles are. We're really trying to perfect what we're doing."
North Little Rock won the Benton 7-on-7 Invitational on Tuesday and competed in the Shootout of the South on Friday and Saturday in Little Rock. Tuesday's 7-on-7 victory was North Little Rock's first.
"It was huge," Mitchell said. "It's a great conditioner. It's a great ball-skill test for us. Being able to throw the ball and catch it, that's a huge thing for us. We haven't done that in the past. It's really good for us to play in 7-on-7."
The Charging Wildcats are led by senior running back Alex Day, the brother of Arkansas running back Juan Day, who rushed for 1,847 yards and 24 touchdowns last season.
North Little Rock hosts Maumelle in its season opener Sept. 2.
DARDANELLE
New coach fits in
Any uncertainty surrounding Dardanelle's football program was alleviated last Monday night when Phil Vega was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach.
Vega replaces Josh Price, who resigned last month to take over at Stuttgart.
"In their eyes, it was a sense of relief," Vega said of the Sand Lizards' players. "It perked them up."
The Sand Lizards are 25-2 over the past two seasons with two consecutive 4-4A Conference championships. Vega's defense held opponents to less than 11 points per game last season as Dardanelle finished 12-1 after losing to Arkadelphia in the Class 4A quarterfinals.
Vega, a Dover and Arkansas Tech graduate, said he doesn't plan on changing much in the Sand Lizards program going into the 2016 season. Dardanelle, which loses all-purpose player Chris Kershner and offensive/defensive lineman Caden Brown, returns four starters on offense and six on defense.
"Familiarity breeds confidence," Vega said. "Our kids are confident, offensively and defensively. We've had a tremendous amount of success."
Vega has worked at Dardanelle since 2004. He was an assistant under Paul Wilson in 2004-2006 before Price arrived in 2007. The opportunity to be the head coach at Dardanelle is a great one, Vega said.
"It's a unique place to live," Vega said. "The community, the school district and the administration are all outstanding. Anytime you can be at a place where all three of those things are in place is awesome."
Dardanelle opens the 2016 season Aug. 30 at Charleston.
EXTRA POINTS
Junior quarterback Mason Schucker has transferred from Clarksville to Searcy. Schucker, who passed for 2,246 yards with 24 touchdowns and 7 interceptions as a sophomore, participated in Searcy's 7-on-7 events this week in Benton and at the Shootout of the South in Little Rock. ... The Arkansas Activities Association's two-week dead period is June 27-July 9. Athletic programs are prohibited from participating in any activity during the period. ... Eli Cranor resigned as Clarksville's head coach last week and is now an assistant coach at Morrilton. Cranor finished 1-19 in two seasons at Class 5A Clarksville. ... Van Buren has hired Vian (Okla.) Coach Brandon Tyler as an assistant. Tyler went 128-25 in 12 seasons at Vian and led the Wolverines to an Oklahoma Class 2A runner-up finish in 2006 and five semifinal appearances.
Sports on 06/19/2016