November 2, 2009

Kevin Lewis

Tulia head football coach Eric Wilson has resigned in the wake of the Hornets' varsity football season being cancelled.

Eric Wilson, who was in his 12th season as head coach, submitted his resignation last Friday to Superintendent Dr. Ken Miller. The resignation, which was effectively immediately, was accepted by the Tulia ISD School Board on Tuesday night.

"He thought it would be in the best interest of the program," Miller said.

Miller declined further comment, and calls to Wilson's home this morning went unanswered.

Tulia opened the season 0-6 before forfeiting its Oct. 17 game to Muleshoe because of a low number of participants. Then on Oct. 21, the decision was made to forfeit the team's remaining three games against Dimmitt, Floydada and Childress.

Last week, Wilson cited sickness, injuries, failures in the classroom and lack of commitment on some players' parts among the reasons for the low numbers.

Miller said injuries were the main factor.

It was reported last week in The Tulia Herald that participation in football has dropped by 27 players since 2005, according to Kim Pond in remarks to the school board.

Miller confirmed that participation numbers have decreased due to players quitting, but he did not know for sure by how much.

"I do not have those numbers in front of me," he said.

Wilson guided the Hornets to a school-record five straight playoff appearances from 2003-07. They finished last season 2-8.

"We will be in the process of looking for a replacement," Miller said.


KEVIN LEWIS, Plainview Herald Editor