Conway coaching position could be filled tonight

The search for the next Conway football coach may come to an end today.

The search committee is hoping to bring its candidate before the Conway School District Board of Education in a special meeting today, superintendent Greg Murry said Wednesday.

"We are ready to make a recommendation," Murry said. "Hopefully, the board will be able to decide on the candidate, and we'll be able to hire a coach by the end of the day."

Siloam Springs coach Clint Ashcraft, Lonoke coach Jeff Jones and Neosho (Mo.) High coach Shawn Flannigan were all interviewed Wednesday. It was the second interview for each candidate, the only second interviews that have been conducted during the search, and the committee decided to request a special meeting with the school board shortly after those interviews were completed.

"We've been pleased with the candidates we've had apply," Murry said. "We believe we have a very promising future for Wampus Cat football."

More than 20 people applied for the position made vacant when former Conway coach Kenny Smith resigned last month after 18 years at the helm. Smith finished his tenure as the winningest coach in CHS history, compiling a 129-75 (63.2 percent) record. However, the Cats had their struggles of late, missing the playoffs the past two seasons.

Conway went 3-7 in 2007 and posted a 2-8 mark this past season.

Murry said finding someone able to help turn things around for the program was a big factor in the search. That no doubt made the process a critical endeavor.

"It's gone smoothly," Murry said of the search process. "It's taken some time to make sure we find the best candidate for the Wampus Cat football program. We want to make sure we have the best fit."

The shape the remainder of the coaching staff takes remains to be seen. Murry said all of the current assistant coaches are welcomed to stay with the school district. He said them going elsewhere would be a personal decision for those coaches.

Murry added any coaching changes would be discussed with the new head coach and athletic director Buzz Bolding before possibly brought before the board as potential new hires.

The original intent of the committee was to have a recommendation to bring before the board at the Jan. 13 meeting. However, the interviewing process went quicker than originally expected, and Murry said havaing a coach as soon as possible was important.

"We feel like we've got the best candidate and feel like this is the right time," Murry said. "We've wanted to have someone to go through offseason and spring practice with the players."

If a new coach is chosen tonight, the hire would have come 30 days after Smith's resignation was announced.