RAYMOND – Bill Fleming resigned his post as Raymond High football coach on Monday and said the school needs to address its football program.

&#8220It had a lot to do with the situation here. I’ve had only one assistant coach and he comes and goes when he wants to,” said Fleming, a 15-year coaching veteran.

Raymond went 1-9 last season, Fleming’s third as the school’s head coach. The Rangers competed against a tough schedule with the likes of Division 7-3A rival Hazlehurst, along with Class 2A in-county rival Hinds AHS, and 4A playoff contender Terry, which was led by All-State running back Anthony Dixon. Hinds went 10-0 in the regular season and Hazlehurst finished unbeaten after winning the 3A State Championship.

&#8220In just about every game, we started out well and then we’d let down. Against Terry, we held Dixon to under 100 yards, but let turnovers cost us,” Fleming said.

&#8220Against Hinds, we moved the ball 80 yards on our first series, and then have a costly turnover right near the goal. That’s basically how the season went.”

In three years as the Rangers’ coach, Fleming won just three games.

He cited the lack of qualified assistant coaches as a key cause. Most 3A schools in the state have at least three certified coaches; Fleming was by himself.

Raymond assistant principal, Harrison Michael, said the school has begun its search for a new coach.

&#8220We’ve closed the resume period, and now are reviewing to set up interviews with the finalists,” Michael said. &#8220We hope to have a new coach by the end of February.”

Fleming, meanwhile, is hoping to stay in coaching but not in public school.

&#8220I would like to go back to the private schools. If that doesn’t work out, I’ll stay here and just teach,” Fleming said.