 "Their selection committee conducted interviews last week, and I
received the call Monday," Shaner explained. "I gave my resignation
here on Tuesday, and I'm putting things together so I can get down
there as soon as possible, probably tomorrow (Friday) or Monday. It
will become official at Mount Vernon's school board meeting on June
20, when the selection committee makes its recommendation for board
approval."The phone has been ringing off the hook, and there is
not much to say except I'm pretty excited. It's a great
opportunity," coach Shaner said. "The Mount Vernon community voted
for a referendum in April that will allow the district to build a
new school with a new football stadium. It is something that has to
go through the regular stages of development, so it won't be in
place for about two years, but it says a lot for the support for the
program."
A referendum was passed by Mount Vernon voters in April to build
a new $62 million, 300,000-square-foot high school complex with a
stadium for football, track and field.
Mount Vernon Township High School had an enrollment of over 1,300
students for the 2010-2011 school year and is in the South Seven
Conference, Class 5A. Lincoln Community High School's enrollment is
approximately 825, and the school is Class 4A in the Central State
Eight Conference.
Jared Shaner is originally from Prophetstown and graduated from
Illinois State University. He was a special education teacher at
Olympia High School for four years and an assistant football coach
during that same time period. He moved to Lincoln to fill a special
education position and was assistant football coach for two years
with John Oak's leadership team until advancing to the head coach
position after Oak's retirement. Lincoln's overall record during
Shaner's five-year tenure as head coach was 12-33.
The Mount Vernon football team was 3-6 last season under head
coach Dan Ming, who resigned in May and has taken a position at
Johnston City.
Sam Knox, athletic director for LCHS, said, "This is an odd time
of the year to replace a football coach, but we'll move forward and
start the process as soon as possible." The next regular meeting of
the LCHS District 404 board is June 20.
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Coach Shaner had nothing but positive things to say about his
experience at LCHS. And while his position as head football coach is
currently everyone's main focus, he stressed that he has been a
special education teacher throughout his career and has enjoyed that
area of activity. He will, however, make a change to another
department at the new school.
"I have been a special ed teacher for 11 years but will be
teaching physical education at Mount Vernon," Shaner said.
He continued by saying the Lincoln administrators are behind him
in his decision to advance his coaching career and relocate.
"Principal Poelker, Superintendent Bagby and athletic director
Sam Knox have been very supportive during my time here and have
wished me well at my new school," Shaner said. "I have received
numerous calls and messages from well-wishers after they heard the
news. Mount Vernon High School issued a news release, and the news
has spread quickly.
"I am not leaving LCHS because of any unhappiness or contention,
but because this opening presented itself and I had to go for it,"
Shaner said. "If I had not been chosen at Mount Vernon, I would have
been happy here as head coach."
Shaner's wife, Erinne, will be preparing the family to move as
soon as possible. Their daughter, Jozie, will be entering fourth
grade in the fall, oldest son Tyler will start kindergarten, and
Cullen will be registered in preschool when they arrive in Mount
Vernon.
"We have been here in Lincoln for seven years and have some very
good friends and co-workers," Shaner said. "The kids are sad about
leaving friends behind, but we have told them there will be new
friends. We'll keep in touch and continue to care for our Lincoln
friends, but we will find new friends we can care about."
[By MARLA BLAIR]
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