Jay Brown will not return to the sidelines at Pete Rich Stadium next football season, having apparently resigned as Pell City’s head coach and athletics director.

Assistant coach Wayne Lee has been named interim coach and director.   Attempts by the News-Aegis to contact Brown and Superintendent Bobby Hathcock had not been successful at press time.

Brown’s departure was unexpected in some quarters, including members of the Panthers football team, who held an informal rally in support of Brown at the football field Monday afternoon.  

Returning varsity players said they learned last Thursday that the coach wouldn’t return for next season, some saying they felt “blindsided” by the decision.  

“We enjoyed playing for Coach Brown,” said junior defensive lineman Jarrod Chatman.  “Besides being a good football coach, he’s a good man.  He gave us a lot of morals and values and taught us how to be good men.”

Brown had begun making plans for the 2011 season, telling the News-Aegis last week that 63 lettermen are expected to return for the Panthers next year, which should enable the team to improve on this season’s 4-6 record.  “I think there will be some excitement beginning in the off-season,” he said.  

Formerly on the coaching staffs at Guntersville and McAdory High Schools and Jacksonville State University, Brown posted a 52-33 record while at Pell City.  He has served as a member of the Alabama Football Coaches’ Association’s executive board and is a former member of the AHSAA Football Committee.