Jones issues statement on Kelly coach's resignation

Scott County R-IV superintendent Fara Jones declined to answer questions but provided a statement Tuesday regarding the resignation of Kelly football coach Kenneth Riedinger, who resigned Thursday and announced his decision Monday.

The four-sentence statement began with the following: "On Thursday, July 2, Mr. Riedinger submitted his resignation by sticking it in the wind shield wiper of the superintendents [sic] vehicle on the school parking lot."

Riedinger told the Missourian on Monday that his resignation came about due to "a difference of opinion with the administration" in regards to the direction of the football program.

Jones stated a rumor circulating that Riedinger was forced to resign was "totally false." Riedinger also said he resigned on his own accord and would've begun the football season as coach.

Jones declined to comment on who would be named the Hawks' interim coach or when a coach would be named. She also stated that Riedinger was given and had signed a contract for the 2015-16 school year, which would've made him a tenured teacher at Kelly.

Riedinger started the Hawks' football program four years ago and led the team in its inaugural varsity season last year. Kelly fell to Caruthersville in a 63-14 decision in the first round of the Class 2 District 1 tournament, finishing its season with a 4-6 record.