Parker submits resignation as NBHS softball coach

New Brockton High School will soon be in search of its next softball coach.

Scott Parker resigned his position as coach of the Lady Gamecocks softball team, as well as assistant football coach and history teacher.

Parker was hired as the softball coach, an assistant football coach and history teacher at New Brockton last June.

He was hired as the softball coach, an assistant football coach and history teacher at Cottonwood High School recently, and has submitted his letter of resignation to NBHS principal Gray Harrison.

"I think his leadership was, of course, definite with how far (the team went) and the success the girls had this year,” Harrison said of Parker. “Having the knowledge and the coaching ability to take that group to that level, we at the New Brockton High School community appreciate it.”

In just one season at the helm of the Lady Gamecocks softball team, Parker turned the program around.

New Brockton won 30 games in 2016, and finished with a Class 2A, Area 5 championship.

The Lady Gamecocks earned the way into the Class 2A state tournament, and Parker relished the opportunity to coach them.

“It was an incredible experience,” Parker said. “I thank Mr. Harrison and the parents of the (players) I was able to coach. I had the opportunity to coach a terrific bunch of (players) on the football field and on the softball field. I told Mr. Harrison this, but (they are) truly some of the best kids I’ve ever had. It’s just a wonderful community. You couldn’t have had more support. The best part about this past year was watching some tremendous young ladies and men decide to be great, not ordinary, and to see them work so very hard to earn their success on the diamond and on the football field. (They are) super kids who will always have a place in our family's hearts."

Though Parker — who graduated from Cottonwood High School — did not specifically address the reasons for his resignation, he said Houston County Schools is home and he welcomes the challenge of building the program as he did New Brockton’s.

“Houston County Schools, it’s home for me,” he said. “It always has a special place in your heart that way. The program the past couple of years has not been where it really needs to be, both on the softball (and) the football field. I’d certainly like to see it get back to where I believe it ought to be. I’ll work very hard to do everything I can to make that happen.”

New Brockton finished with a 30-13 record last season.

“I’m going to miss them,” Parker said of his players at NBHS. “It was a tremendous experience for me and for my family.”