One of the most successful chapters in Russellville High School baseball history came to a close last week when head baseball coach David Ward resigned from his position.
Ward served as head coach for seven seasons, a stretch that included the school’s first ever appearance in the state semi-finals and a return trip to the third round.
In 2011, the Golden Tigers set a school record with 31 consecutive wins at one point.
The city school board accepted Ward’s resignation during last week’s regular board meeting.
Ward said Monday that he will look to get back into college coaching, something that he did for several years at Northwest-Shoals Community College before entering school administration prior to his stint at Russellville.
“I’ll probably look to get back into college coaching,” Ward said.
“That’s what I need to be doing.”
Ward said he was pleased that he was part of a successful era in Russellville history and he thinks expectations around the program are higher than ever.
“Baseball in Russellville has turned now. They expect you to win and that’s a good thing, it wasn’t like that before,” said Ward, who has won more than 600 games as a head baseball coach at the high school and collegiate levels.
“I think we created a monster. We have had some good runs and I think baseball can be successful at Russellville and I was told that it couldn’t be.”
Ward said that whoever replaces him would be challenged to work hard, but he expects the program to be in a better position to succeed than in years past.
“I think we all worked hard and whoever they get as coach will have to work hard, but you can win at Russellville. That’s a tribute to the kids here.”
Russellville city schools superintendent Rex Mayfield said a committee would be formed to begin the process of finding Ward’s replacement.