Bo Swilley, after his sixth season as Adams County Christian School’s head football coach and an unlikely trip to the playoffs, has announced his resignation from the school.

Swilley said he plans to dedicate more time to the business he and his wife Traci own in Fayette, Bankston’s Pharmacy.

&uot;If we’re going to expand our business, it has to happen now,&uot; Swilley said. &uot;In the summer, business is kind of down, so we have to strike when the iron is hot.&uot;

Swilley said he discussed his resignation with ACCS Headmaster Rufus Carlock before the Thanksgiving holidays but wanted to talk to his players and students before it was announced.

&uot;I didn’t want the kids to read about it in the paper,&uot; he said. &uot;I’m going to miss the kids and the people I work with. I’m going to miss the Friday nights.

&uot;I’m not going to say I miss the long hours,&uot; he added. &uot;But since I was a freshman in high school, it’s all I’ve ever known. I’ve always been involved with football.&uot;

The Rebels started the 2000 season 0-5 before rebounding strong enough to make the playoffs. As if that weren’t incentive to stay, Swilley’s son, Brent, will be a senior at ACCS next season.

&uot;That’s really one of my regrets,&uot; Swilley said. &uot;But (Brent) might find that it’s a lot more fun with someone else there. You tend to be kind of hard on your own kids.&uot;

Swilley may leave the school mid-semester, depending on the time it takes to find a teacher to replace him. He teaches health in addition to his coaching position.

&uot;I don’t want to leave Mr. Carlock hanging,&uot; he said. &uot;I’ll make sure my loose ends are tied up.&uot;

Carlock said he will immediately begin advertising and interviewing for a new head coach. He will consider coaches already on ACCS’ staff but, so far, only Paul Hales has thrown his hat into the ring, he said.

&uot;But this was a pretty recent announcement,&uot; Carlock added.

Hayles has already agreed to fill another of Swilley’s posts – advisor to the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

&uot;We’ve got some great guys on our staff,&uot; Swilley said. &uot;I’d like to see an assistant move up, but I know it’s going to be fine. We’ve got a good faculty, good administration, good staff. They’ll do well.&uot;

Swilley said his players understand his decision, &uot;but it’s a change. Change is always uncertain.

&uot;I told them I’d be around as much as possible with Brent still playing,&uot; he added.

Swilley said the decision to resign was strictly a financial one. &uot;I’ve got a lot of friends at AC and I still do,&uot; he said