Just 15 days after announcing their new head football coach, Kosciusko High School administrators find themselves once again on the search to find a leader for the program.
Justin Hunter, who was officially announced as the new football coach of the Whippets on Jan. 13, informed KHS administrators Tuesday afternoon that he was going to pursue another opportunity.
“We were informed by coach Hunter this afternoon that he plans to withdraw as the Kosciusko head football coach to take a position at another school,” said Kosciusko Director of Athletics Macy Wilbanks. “We will now begin the process of hiring the best possible coach we can find for Kosciusko.”
Hunter was chosen by the Kosciusko High School search committee out of 40 candidates, including six who were interviewed.
Hunter, who is also a former head football coach at Noxapater High School, served the last six years at Pearl High School under former Kosy head coach John Perry. Hunter’s experience as offensive coordinator at Pearl, an MHSAA Class 5A school, and a strong recommendation from Perry weighed heavily in Kosciusko’s decision to offer the position to Hunter.
Hunter reportedly met with the superintendent of another school late Tuesday afternoon, during which time he apparently was offered and accepted the job as head coach.
Hunter is still an employee at Pearl, and had yet to sign a contract with the Kosciusko School District.
That is not an uncommon practice. Contracts are usually based on the school year, but in situations involving football coaches, it is not unusual for a new coach to come on board in the spring, once details can be worked out between the two involved school districts.
Hunter was hired two weeks ago to replace Kelly Causey as the head football coach. Causey coached the Whippets for three seasons, going 9-25 during that time. KHS made the MHSAA Class 4A playoffs in 2019 with a 3-8 record.
