And the search continues. But it doesn’t appear that it will be much longer.

The Chesapeake school district is looking for a successor to boys’ basketball coach Norm Persin who retired last month to take a job as teacher and coach for the Oak Hill Oaks.

Chesapeake superintendent Sam Hall said the deadline for the coaching position ended last Friday and the screening and interview process is under way.

“We hope to have everything completed soon and present the board with some quality candidates,” Hall said. “We’ll send our recommendations to the board and if they feel they should move quickly, they’ll call a special meeting.”

Besides a boys basketball coach, the board must also employ an athletic director since Persin held both positions.

Several in-house candidates have applied along with others from outside the district including the northern part of the state. No candidate names have been released.

SEOAL still shrinking?

And the rumors persist.

Not only is there a chance the Southeastern Ohio Athletic League could shrink a little more, the Ohio Valley Conference may find itself down a team.

Athens announced recently it plans to exit the SEOAL and join the Tri-Valley Conference in two years.

Indian Valley is planning to leave the ECOL with Zanesville, a recent addition to the SEOAL, planning to take its spot in 2008. Zanesville sees close trips and competitive competiton as the main attraction.

Logan, a longtime member of the SEOAL, is also considering a move to the Columbus area OCC. However, there are no openings in the league at this time but restructuring of the league could open a spot.

And don’t be surprised if Marietta looks north, too.

As for the OVC, River Valley is talking with the TVC with hopes of joining the big school division along with Athens, Wellston, Nelsonville-York, Meigs, Belpre, Vinton County and Alexander.

South Gallia has been trying to gain admission to the Southern Ohio Conference, but the Rebels have been blocked out due to extensive travel.

Now the Rebels are turning their attention toward the TVC small school division.

Coming Back Home

Former Ironton All-Ohio end Patrick Kouns has left the University of Charleston and will be a walk-on when Marshall begins workouts on Thursday.

Kouns signed a full scholarship with UC but decided to return closer to home and face a more competitive challenge with the Herd.