It’s late March, and the WCCA Rams are now in search of a head football coach.

Former head coach Paul Hayles accepted the job as head coach at ACCS this week.

But despite the late time of the school year to begin a search, athletic director Sam Byrd IV is confident the school will be able to find the right fit for the WCCA football program.

“I don’t think (we’ll have trouble finding candidates,” Byrd said Thursday. “I think Coach Hayles has done a wonderful job of establishing our program and making a program many people would be interested in being a part of. We’ve got a good group of kids. I believe we’ll be able to find the person that’s right for the job”

Byrd said that while Hayles’ resignation came as a bit of a surprise there were no hard feelings.

“It was a surprise to most people in the community,” he said. “I wish him the best. We’re definitely going to miss him.”

In the meantime, the school must wait until the next board meeting to begin the search for a new head coach in earnest.

“The board hasn’t met,” Byrd said. “We don’t know if we’re going to hire from within or go out and look, per se. We’re just doing what’s best for our school. We’re going to take it whichever direction we can. As soon as (the board) can get together, we’ll decide.”

Regardless of who the new coach may be, Byrd said that coach will be arriving to a motivated bunch of players.

“Last year was the first time we didn’t make the playoffs in about four years,” he said. “There’s a lot of kids fired up and wanting to get back.

“The first game of the season we get to play (ACCS) so that ought to be interesting.”

The Rebels and Rams will meet Aug. 24 in Natchez to open the season.

Hayles said Wednesday he will finish out the year coaching track at WCCA and teaching his classes until final exams are complete.