By Malcolm Butler
Cedar Creek is in the market for a new head football coach and AD.
Head of School Cindy Hampton told the Lincoln Parish Journal Monday that head football coach Matt Middleton has resigned to take a position elsewhere.
Hampton said the team was informed this afternoon.
“We want to thank Matt Middleton for the two years he has given Cedar Creek,” said Hampton. “We wish him the best. We have a plan moving forward to find his replacement.”
Hampton said Cougars defensive coordinator Mark Ware would serve as the interim head coach while Gene Vandenlangenberg would serve as the boys AD and Julie Riser would serve as the girls AD for the present time.
Middleton was originally introduced as the Cougars head coach in April of 2021 and guided the Cougars to a 6-5 record, which including a historic win over Oak Grove, a near-miss against OCS and a berth in the Division IV playoffs.
Following the season he resigned from Cedar Creek in mid-January to accept the offensive coordinator position at Southern Arkansas University. However, in June of 2022 after the school and newly-hired coach Steven Ensminger announced their decision to mutually part ways, Middleton returned to once again take over the program.
Middleton signed a multi-year contract that included a buyout if he departed early. Hampton declined specific details but did say the matter was being discussed.
“This is being addressed by the Cedar Creek administration and Board of Directors with Matt,” said Hampton.
Middleton respectfully declined to comment on the announcement when reached Monday.
Middleton led the Cougars to a 7-5 record this past season, including a first-round Select School Division IV playoff win over Slaughter Community Charter before falling to the eventual state runner-up Vermilion Catholic in the second round.
The search for the next Cougars head coach and Cedar Creek Athletics Director will begin immediately, according to Hampton, who also said Ware would handle spring practice.
