Scott City hires Ark. coach, fills its football vacancy

Scott City has hired Piggott (Ark.)High School football coach Jason Burkman to lead its program after an uncharacteristic 3-7 season.

Burkman, the head coach at Piggott the past four years, was approved by the Scott City school board and said he will submit a signed contract Thursday when he visits the school to meet with players and faculty.

"We're looking forward to him coming up here and being successful with the program," Scott City athletic director Fred Graham said.

Burkman was one of three candidates to interview for the position vacated by Stephen O'Brien, who was 10-10 in his two seasons. Graham said there were more than 20 candidates originally.

"I feel privileged to be able to come into Scott City and be able to do something," Burkman said. "I know Scott City likes power football and I hope to get that going."

Burkman, 33, turned around a Piggott program that had just four winning seasons since 1969, when it last made the playoffs. Piggott was 8-52 in the six years before Burkman became head coach, including a winless season the year before he took over.

In four seasons, Burkman led the Mohawks to a 25-17 record and his teams twice qualified for the Class 3A playoffs. In 1998, his first year, he led Piggott led to a 5-5 record. The following year Piggott went 7-4 and made its first playoff appearance in 30 years.

Burkman also will teach physical education and supervise in-school suspension. He and his wife, Hope, have four children.

Wells resigns at SCC

Steve Wells has resigned after three years as the boys basketball coach at Scott County Central.

Wells, also Central's athletic director, will not return to the school next year.

He led the Braves to a 44-32 record in his three seasons. Scott County, which holds the state record with 13 boys championships, had a 15-11 record in the 2001-02 season.

jbreer@semissourian.com

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