VIDALIA — Rob Faircloth will continue to be the interim head football coach at Vidalia High School through the upcoming 2019 varsity football season, Concordia Parish School Board Superintendent Whest Shirley said late Monday morning.

Rob Faircloth, who had been the Vikings’ defensive coordinator the last few years, was named interim head coach in early June after legendary head coach Dee Faircloth retired on May 31 after 44 total seasons. Rob Faircloth is Dee Faircloth’s nephew.

“Dee stepped down late in the school year and Rob was named interim coach last month, so we didn’t have time to search for a (permanent) coach,” Shirley said.

Vidalia is coming off a strong 2018 season in which it finished 9-4 overall and runner-up in LHSAA District 2-2A.

The Vikings advanced to the Class 2A quarterfinals before falling to No. 1 seed Many High School.

“I think he’ll do a good job. He played for me. He’s been (our) defensive coordinator the last five years,” Dee Faircloth said. “He’s a hard worker. He’ll give you 18 hours a day on football. He’s going to work harder than any coach you’re going to find.”

The first day of football practice for Vidalia is Monday. The Vikings’ regular season starts on Friday, Sept. 6, when they play at Sicily Island High School.

Vidalia’s first home game will be Friday, Sept. 20, when it takes on Class 5A West Ouachita High School out of West Monroe, Louisiana.

Shirley said that an open search for a permanent head coach would take place after the season is over.