Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Armitage To Lead Curley Wolves On Gridiron

Ashdown's loss is Prescott's gain.

James Kirk Armitage left Ashdown where he had been defensive coordinator for the Panthers.

He was hired by the Prescott School Board in a special called Sunday meeting, to replace Coach David Bennett, who resigned in July to take a head coaching job at his home town in Dierks.

The actual board meeting lasted about 15 minutes, mainly in executive session where the members discussed the hiring. This was little more than a formality though. However, his employment is conditional upon him being released from his contract with Ashdown.

Armitage said the Wolves will have a different look this year, as he plans to install a wing-T offense and a 4-3 defense.

Defensive plans are to have four down linemen with the other seven players in the box, unless the defense is spread or in a prevent.

"I'm tickled to be here," Armitage said. "If you're a high school coach, this is the place to be. People across the state know about Prescott football. It's always been great and always competitive."

Armitage plans to take the Wolves to a new level, hopefully culminating in another championship trophy for the team.

While at Ashdown, he was the defensive coordinator, offensive line coach and linebacker coach for the Panthers, along with teaching history, government and health to juniors and seniors.

Prior to the Ashdown gig, Armitage was the offensive and defensive line coach at Harrison High School, where he also taught elementary physical education.

From 1995-'97 he was the defensive coordinator, offensive line and linebacker coach at Ashdown, where he also taught history, government and health on the junior and senior level.

In 1994-1995 he was an investment representative with Edward D. Jones, selling stocks, bonds, mutual funds and established retirement accounts for clients.

He was the head junior high coach at Harrison Junior High in 1993-1994. Other duties Armitage performed while at Harrison at this time included being the head high school golf coach, teaching ninth grade civics and geography, while coaching the offensive and defensive lines for the high school team.

Armitage was at Morrilton Junior High from 1991-1993, where he coached the offensive and defensive line for the ninth grade and was head coach of the seventh and eighth grade squads.

Other duties were as head coach for the 7-9 track team, teaching 7-9 health and AIDS education.

Armitage earned his bachelor of science in education degree from Southern Arkansas University, graduating Aug. 1990.

He will lead the Curley Wolves into battle for the 2000 season, taking the helm of a team that made it to the AAA semifinals in 1999.