LYNNWOOD – The long-struggling Lynnwood High School football team has suffered another jarring blow.
Just four days before the 2006 season opener, Lynnwood lost its head coach.
John Morris resigned on Monday. In his one season as head coach the Royals were 0-10 (0-9 in the Western Conference South Division).
Debbie Jakala, Edmonds School District spokesperson, confirmed that the district accepted Morris’ resignation.
Morris, 35, of Anacortes, said an ongoing lack of administrative support sparked his decision. He did not elaborate but said he plans to continue teaching English at Lynnwood.
Assistant football coach Reggie Corns was named interim head coach. Corns, who also coaches Lynnwood’s baseball team, has been a football assistant since 2002. Corns is Lynnwood’s fifth head coach since 2001, preceded by Morris, Andrew Burton (2003-2004), Kirk Kriskovich (2002) and Jim McKinnon (1987-2001).
In a statement addressed to players’ families and supporters of the program, Lynnwood principal David Golden did not explain why Morris resigned but said, “We realize this may be difficult information for some of you to receive.”
Added Golden, “We appreciate Reggie Corns’ willingness to lead this program. He cares very much about the student-athletes of Lynnwood High and has consistently demonstrated that … .”
Morris’ exit is another setback for Lynnwood, which suffered a then-state record 42-game losing streak from 2000 to late 2004. The Royals open their season against Mountlake Terrace at 5 p.m. Friday at Edmonds Stadium.
“I think (the frequency of coaching changes) says something about where the program might be,” said Corns, who planned to inform his players of the change on Tuesday. “(But) the kids have been awesome through all of that. I expect that they’ll rise to this challenge as much as they can.”
Corns said he believes his team can eventually weather yet another unexpected jolt.
“It will be a bump,” Corns said, “just another thing we’ll have to overcome.”
Lynnwood challenged Mariner in its first game last season, losing 48-42, but the Royals were outscored 401-68 after that. Morris, who previously was head coach at Weston Ranch High (Stockton, Calif.), had said he hoped to erase bleak memories of Lynnwood’s winless 2005 season.
Instead, Lynnwood players face a new hurdle.
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