McDowell Schools post head football coach opening at Mount View High

McDowell County Schools posted a vacancy for Head Football Coach 6-8 (26-C-07) for Mount View High in Welch on Jan. 11, signaling active recruitment for the coming season. The position was listed on the district job board via K12JobSpot and shown as posted three days earlier with the listing valid through Jan. 17, 2026.

The seasonal position runs Aug. 12 to Nov. 2 and carries a pay scale entry of $2,000, with benefits referenced as provided according to the district schedule. Candidates must hold a valid West Virginia teaching certificate, a WVDE permit or substitute permit, or a high school diploma or GED plus a WVSSAC certificate. The posting also requires availability for practice immediately after school, a scheduling demand that could limit applicants who have other jobs or commitments.

For McDowell County residents, the posting is consequential in several ways. High school coaches in small Appalachian districts often fill dual roles as educators and community mentors; the stipend level and certification requirements shape who can apply and how reliably programs can be staffed. A $2,000 seasonal payment, even with benefits per district policy, may not be competitive for candidates who would need to give primary afternoons to practice or who must hold a second job to make ends meet. The certification options in the posting create multiple entry paths, allowing both certified teachers and community members with WVSSAC credentials to be considered, but each path carries its own barriers and timelines.

Institutionally, the posting reveals priorities and constraints facing McDowell County Schools as it prepares athletic programs for the fall season. Athletic staffing decisions intersect with district budgets, scheduling and student participation. Gaps in coaching can affect program continuity, off-season conditioning, and the ability to recruit students into after-school activities that contribute to school engagement and attendance.

The timing of the posting during the second week of January is part of routine seasonal hiring, but it also presents a moment for community input. Parents, students and civic leaders who value local athletics can influence outcomes by pressing the school board and district administrators on compensation, support for dual-role employees, and pathways that make coaching accessible to qualified community members.

Our two cents? If you want Mount View’s program to thrive, push for clear, livable stipends and flexible certification support at the next school board meeting, and encourage qualified locals to apply who meet the WVDE or WVSSAC pathways.