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Collett, EHS principal, to coach PBHS

PHILIPPI — The Barbour County Board of Education voted Monday evening to hire current Elkins High School principal Russ Collett to coach the Philip Barbour High School football team this fall.

Collett also will be the assistant principal for both Philippi Middle School and Belington Middle School in the coming school year, Barbour BOE officials announced at Monday’s meeting. Collett was not present at the meeting.

“He brings a wealth of experience going back to his playing days in college and high school, and has a plan for PBHS,” Barbour County Superintendent of Schools Jeff Woofter said Monday evening.

Woofter noted Collett is an excellent school administrator, and said Collett had both a plan and a timetable in mind for turning things around on the football field.

School officials began seeking a new Philip Barbour High School football coach after the resignation earlier this year of longtime coach Curtis Bodkins

Bodkins’ resignation was approved by the Barbour BOE during a special session on Feb. 15, according to board documents. His resignation as PBHS football coach was effective Feb. 10.

The only other agenda items on the Feb. 15 Barbour BOE special session were accepting the resignations of PBHS assistant football coach Stanley Fitzwater and PBHS head golf coach Trevor Mouser.

The Barbour BOE also approved the resignation of PBHS assistant football coach Joshua Halfin during a regular meeting in February.

The PBHS Colts football team went 0-10 in 2016, and has lost the last 24 games in a row, dating back to Oct. 3, 2014.

Philip Barbour opened its new George Byrer Field at BC Bank Park on the school’s campus last August.

The park is named for the community bank that donated $1.75 million to complete major renovations, including artificial turf and an eight-lane track. The grand opening of the sports facility took place just prior to the Colts’ season opening loss against Grafton High School.

Bodkins has had success coaching the PBHS girls basketball team. The Lady Colts finished 14-11 this season, and earned a sectional title before falling in regional play.

— Staff Writer Bayli Helmick contributed information for this article.

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