Porters Chapel Academy’s basketball and softball coach has resigned and said he is pursuing several other coaching opportunities.

Chris Etheridge, who lost a leg after a car accident in October, said financial reasons led to his departure last week from the private school on Porters Chapel Road.

Etheridge, who had coached at the private school for two years, said hurt feelings played a part in his decision to leave because the school had not paid him since November.

&#8220It’s not hard feelings, it’s hurt feelings. That’s pretty much what it boils down to,” said Etheridge, who also gave up his job as athletic director before he resigned his coaching duties. &#8220Was I the best athletic director Porters Chapel ever had? No. Was I the best coach they’ve ever had? No. But I tried to do right by the students and the athletes.

&#8220I sometimes did that to the detriment of my family, and all I asked for was to be treated fairly.”

Etheridge had no health insurance through the school. PCA headmaster Lynn Baker declined to comment on Etheridge’s specific situation since she has been on the job only since July 1, but said, in general, there are no contractual obligations that would require the school to pay a teacher once sick days run out.

Etheridge, the 2006 Vicksburg Post Softball Coach of the Year, used all of his sick days and some donated by other teachers and was paid a full salary through Nov. 30.

&#8220I promised to do whatever we could do, and the board at one time voted to keep paying his salary. The problem comes when you have to budget for it, and you have to pay the substitute teachers and the coaches to fill in,” said former PCA headmaster Gwen Reiber. &#8220The school, in my opinion, did more than they were capable of doing.”

Etheridge has since begun receiving food stamps and receives a monthly disability check, which he said is about 1/3 of his previous salary.

&#8220For me to go and accept food stamps is hard on me. I’ve always been a prideful guy, and it hurts,” he said. &#8220I felt abandoned by the school.”

Etheridge was the school’s athletic director, but was relieved of those duties when PCA promoted soccer coach Chris Busby to the post about two weeks ago.

School officials said they wanted to lessen the workload for the coach, but later said he may be given an additional coaching responsibility, that of junior varsity basketball teams. Junior high coach Jim DeLaughter left earlier in the summer to coach at Madison-Ridgeland Academy.

In the week since his resignation, Etheridge has interviewed for one coaching position and said he had several more lined up.

A search for new soccer, softball and basketball coaches is ongoing, Baker said.

Officials interviewing coaches for several vacant positions.

Last week’s resignation of Porters Chapel Academy basketball and softball coach Chris Etheridge – who also served as athletic director – has had a ripple effect on the school’s athletic program.

Chris Busby gave up his job as head coach of the soccer team to become the new AD, but there are still vacancies for all four basketball coaching positions and the soccer program.

New PCA headmaster Lynn Baker said several interviews have been scheduled and conducted, but no positions have been filled.

&#8220We have talked to two different people already (for soccer), but not made an offer yet. We have made an offer for all four basketball spots,” Baker said. &#8220We’ve talked to two people about junior high and high school (basketball) and we’re waiting to meet with them. One is just waiting to make up his mind.”

PCA also needs a track coach. Jim DeLaughter, who coached that sport along with JV basketball and football, left for a job at Madison-Ridgeland Academy.

Baker said the track position wasn’t a pressing need, however.

&#8220That’s not something we have to have in place when school starts. What we’re looking for right now is basketball and soccer coaches,” she said.