Texas school hires Ram football coach

The Portales Rams are looking for a new football coach.

Andy Correll, who coached the Rams for four years and led them to their first state title in 20 seasons, was hired to be the next football coach at Vernon High School in Vernon, Texas.

Vernon Superintendent Tom Woody confirmed the hiring, made in a 4-3 vote by the school board Tuesday night, to the Times Record News in Wichita Falls, Texas.

He would replace Keith Hall, who left the Class 3A school after seven seasons to become the defensive coordinator at Denton High School.

The Lions, who finished 1-9 last season, play in Region I, District 6-3A, with Burkburnett, Iowa Park, Graham, Hirschi and Bowie.

The Rams went 24-25 under Correll, who has also spent time coaching in Texas at San Angelo Grape Creek and Muleshoe.

Correll, who succeeded Glenn Johnson at Portales, led Portales to the 2008 state title, a 48-10 rout of District 4-3A rival Lovington.

The Rams made the Class 3A playoffs all four seasons under Correll, and finished as 2006’s Class 3A runnerup.

They went 3-8 and lost in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs in 2009.

Attempts to contact Correll Tuesday night were unsuccessful.

Portales High Athletic Director Mark McAfee said Correll had been open with him during the application process with Vernon, but Tuesday night was the first he had heard of the hiring.

“We’ll open it up,” McAfee said. “I’ll visit with (Portales Schools Superintendent) Mr. (Randy) Fowler and (PHS Principal) Mr. (Melvin) Nusser. We’ll figure out what teaching positions we have available we can tie to that.“

McAfee, who has been an assistant for the last two Ram coaches, said he wouldn’t be against another assistant position.

“If that new coach is willing to put up with me on his staff,” McAfee said, “I’ll be happy to do it.”