Jacobs departs from RHS

A member of the Cougar family is moving on, as head football coach Elliott Jacobs has left his position as head football coach at Rector High School to take a job elsewhere. Jacobs will join Bethel Middle School in Bryant as the football coach for the seventh and eighth grade squad and assistant high school coach.

The new position at the 7A school may lead to future opportunities.

"The reason I took this job is in order for me to get where I want to be someday--which is a college coach--I'm more likely to get recognition at a bigger school," Jacobs said.

The coach was clear about his experience in Rector having been a positive in his life.

"My family and I absolutely loved it here," Jacobs said. "We were welcomed here with open arms and treated very well from day one. This move is not a strike against the school and the community of Rector, I just think it's the best thing for my career. We've made a lot of good friends here that we'll keep in touch with wherever we are."

Last season, Jacobs led Rector to their first senior high football win since 2003. The squad completed the season with a 1-9 overall record.

Though fond of the community, Jacobs says he will miss his players most of all.

"I wish the football team the best of luck," Jacobs said. "I think highly of them as players and young men. I want them to know they can call me about anything and I'll do whatever I can for them. My heart especially goes out to those seniors who will be playing for their third coach since moving up to high school."

Jacobs and his wife, Torri, have two sons: Caleb, six-years-old and Cannon, who is two months.

With Jacobs' departure, the school has begun searching a new head coach. According to high school principal Wade Williams, five applicants have shown interest in the position thus far. Williams said he will be meeting with additional candidate for the next week, with a decision likely to follow in the coming months.