Meadville — No one knew what to expect at the beginning of Franklin County High School’s football season when former head coach Jim Nowell was let go just weeks before the start of the 2013 season.

But despite the sudden change, athletic director Chris Calcote stepped up as the interim coach and kept the Bulldogs together posting a 6-5 record and a trip to the MHSAA playoffs. The Bulldogs lost in the first round to Seminary High School in a hard fought 45-43 game.

Calcote said he was happy with the season the Bulldogs had.

“I thought the season was successful in the fact that we got better each week,” he said.

“We have good kids and our coaching staff kept the kids together. You always want to win more games, but I thought our kids fought hard.”

Now with a respectable season behind them, the question still remains who will pick up where Calcote left off and become Franklin County’s head coach?

Calcote said though he is not part of the selection process, he knows that at least 20 people have applied for the position and a decision should be made soon.

“They should be making a decision next Wednesday I believe,” Calcote said. “The super intendant and principal are the ones making that decision.”

With the way things were going, it seemed Calcote would be a good fit as head coach, but he said he made it clear that his title should remain as just the athletic director.

But what Calcote said he would love to see in the next head coach, is loyalty.

“I hope they bring some longevity, and I hope they don’t leave after a few years and do what’s right for the kids,” Calcote said.