Suwannee High head football coach Tommy Chambers and Athletic Director Randy Ethridge have been relieved of their duties, Chambers immediately, Ethridge at the end of the school year, Supt. of Schools Jerry Scarborough said Monday afternoon.

“He did an admirable job and worked hard for the kids, but we just need a new beginning and new face as we begin to revitalize the athletic program at SHS,” Scarborough said of Chambers Monday.

Scarborough said he wants to have championship teams again, not just in football, but in all sports.

“We need somebody that can promote the athletic program at SHS,” Scarborough said. “Someone who can make our athletic program successful to see if we can’t get back to where we need to be.”

Scarborough said Ethridge would continue in his duties until the end of the school term and would help train a replacement when named.

Chambers said he was offered the chance to resign, but declined.

“It would have been real easy taking the easy way out by resigning,” Chambers said by phone Monday. “But I have been preaching to the returning players that we were going to have to work harder to improve these down times. What example would I have been giving to these young men by resigning?”

Chambers defended the Bulldogs’ recently-completed 2-8 season, blaming the record on injuries and youth.

“The injuries we had starting the season off that continued throughout the year until the end really had us over a barrel,” he said. “With these injuries and then having to play a lot of younger inexperienced players coupled with the level of competition that was on the schedule, we were teaching and learning while playing.

“I know a 2-8 season is hard to take in Suwannee County, just like it was hard on this staff and players,” he continued. “With all the injuries and youthfulness, I thought for sure I would be given another chance to work things out. But the administration felt different, so I can only wish this program the best to come in the future.”

Chambers went 5-4 in 2007, his first season as Bulldog head coach.

Ethridge was not immediately available for comment.

Scarborough said the school board would begin advertising the position of head coach in the next several weeks, while the position of athletic director would be advertised beginning in January.

A search committee for both positions will consist of community members and school personnel, said Scarborough, who said he wants wide-ranging input from a variety of sources before filling the positions.