Chastain steps down as Perryville football coach

Perryville high school is searching for a new head football coach after Rick Chastain submitted a letter of resignation at the school district's last board meeting.

Perryville assistant superintendent Russell Leek, who confirmed Chastain's decision to step down, said Tuesday that the school hopes to replace the coach by its February board meeting.

"There is a whole lot to a coach's responsibilities," Leek said, discussing the timeframe of finding a replacement. "[There[']s] scheduling camps and practices and the ordering of equipment, the refurbishing of equipment, organizing the equipment and organizing the coaching staff.

"There's a lot involved that a head coach has to do," he added. "It's usually not a position that works just during the football season."

of inquiries about the position, but he wouldn't reveal names.

"I will say I haven't received anything from [Missouri coach] Gary Pinkel yet," Leek joked.

The listing advertising the position will be posted on the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Web site, he said. The school has also advertised the position locally.

Leek would neither confirm nor deny whether the board was discussing the termination of Chastain's post prior to receiving the resignation letter, which the board accepted.

He added that it did not come as a surprise to him that Chastain decided to step down after the recent 4-6 season.

"I don't know if I could say it was a surprise," Leek said. "We had a record that wasn't a winning record, and any time you have that you're never sure what's going to happen."

Chastain did not return phone messages inquiring about his decision to resign and his plans for next year.

Chastain posted a combined 17-34 record in his five years at the helm and won a district title with the Pirates in 2004.

It was his second stint with the program. He also coached the Pirates between 1985 and 1990, winning two district titles.

In 2007, after Chastain moved junior Josh Perreault from backup running back to quarterback and incorporated the pistol formation into his offense, the Pirates encountered early success.

Perryville got off to a 3-0 start, which included a win over Ste. Genevieve, the first victory the program posted over the Dragons since 1994.

The Pirates lost their next six games, halting the skid with a season-ending victory over Kennett.