Licensing complication leads to change at coach for Red Oak football

RED OAK — A teaching and licensing issue with new Red Oak head football coach Billy Bob Orsagh will keep him from coaching on the sidelines, as well as teaching at the high school this year.

Red Oak School Superintendent Terry Schmidt said he found out about the licensing issue on Wednesday by the Bureau of Educational Examiners in Des Moines.

Schmidt, along with Principal Jedd Sherman and Assistant Principal/Activities Director Jeff Spotts met with Orsagh, notifying him of the problem.

This led to Orsagh going to Des Moines to find out what he needed to meet with the Bureau of Educational Examiners to acquire his teaching and coaching license.

“He came back and met with us [Thursday] evening and very frustrated over some things that he was going to have to do that he did not want to do,” Schmidt said. “In Iowa, you do not have a choice. Licensing is set by Iowa code.”

Orsagh, according to Schmidt, spent the night thinking over his options and told Schmidt Friday morning that he wasn't planning to pursue his licensing, meaning the district would have to look for a new head coach.

Spotts will take over for the time being as coach for Red Oak, starting with the football camps on Monday.

No official action has been or will be taken on the matter until the next School Board meeting, which will be Aug. 10.

Orsagh was hired in May to take over for Andy Yost, who resigned to accept a position at Creighton Prep in Omaha.

A complete story will be published in Tuesday's Red Oak Express.