Bridgeport High School football coach resigns | News, sports, jobs

BRIDGEPORT – The Bridgeport Exempted Village School District is looking for a new head football coach.

Fred Ray said Tuesday that he is stepping down after six seasons as the Bulldogs' secondary boss. The former Martins Ferry and Ohio University standout quarterback was 18-41 during his time in Bridgeport. His team reached the OHSAA playoffs the last two seasons, losing in the first round each year.

“There is no perfect time for this” Ray said in a telephone interview Tuesday evening. “This is my second time rebuilding a high school football program. I've been spending a lot of time away from home and it's time for me to spend more time with my wife.

“When I got the job at Bridgeport it was all gas and no brakes. I’m looking forward to some time off.”

Bridgeport Exempted Village School District Superintendent Brent Ripley said no one in the school district is interested in the position, which includes strength program director.

“We advertised the position externally” Ripley said by phone Tuesday afternoon. “Fred was able to meet with the children on Monday before we advertised the position. He has agreed to stay on and do the strength program until we find someone to fill the positions.

“Fred is a great man who has done a lot of good things for our program” Ripley praised. “Six years is a long time to be a football coach at a school. He built the program from the ground up and is moving us in the right direction.”

Ray will continue to teach at Bridgeport High School.

“There is no doubt that my phone will ring immediately with other coaching opportunities.” Ray admitted. “I will miss the relationships I built, especially with my coaching staff, many of whom were with me for the entire six or five years. These are lifelong relationships.

“I also enjoyed working with the children and watching them grow into young men.”

Ray also coached at Fairview (Ky.) and River Valley High School in Bidwell, Ohio.