When asked how many wins he’s had in an 11-year coaching career at Vicksburg and six more at four other places, Jamie Creel could not come up with an answer.

One number that he could come up with was the number of players he has had that have earned college baseball scholarships — 36.

On Wednesday, Creel told his players that he resigned as Vicksburg High’s head baseball coach. On June 24, Creel will become an assistant principal at Vicksburg High School. He will replace former Warren Central coach Randy Broome. Broome was appointed in May as the principal at Redwood Elementary.

For the record, Creel’s mark at Vicksburg High has been undeniable. He turned an urban city program known for its basketball teams into one of the most respected baseball program in Mississippi. Over the last three years, the Gators have gone 63-33. In 2008, they finished 28-10 and advanced to Trustmark Park to play in the Class 4A state championship series against East Central.

“I was never one to get caught up with the number of wins I had. I was always more about player development. What mattered most to me was the relationship I had with my players. I guess, if you had to say about the wins, it’s probably approaching 300. But ask me the number of brother combinations that I’ve coached and I say it’s exactly 17,” Creel said.

One of those brother combinations was the Henry brothers, Justin and Jordan. Both are in major league baseball organizations after outstanding college careers at Ole Miss playing for coach Mike Bianco.

“It’s those relationships that I had with those kind of players and even the ones who were just out there to play is what I going to miss most,” Creel said.

The move to administration, however, has been in the works. Creel was prepared to leave after his historic 2008 season with the Gators. The position did not come open and he returned for two more years with the Gators, going 19-11 in 2009 and 16-12 in 2010 with a completely overturned roster.

“I was approached a couple of years ago about going into administration. They thought it would be something I would be good at. During 2008, I had to shift some gears to do the 40 hours of course work. For two years it was rough mentally. But I felt I needed to take this in a new direction. Since I’ve been at the school for the last 11 years, I know the faculty and I know the students. I have to thank the Vicksburg High administration like Mr. (Doug) Branning, Mr. (Charlie) Tolliver and Mr. (Derrick) Reed for helping me take this step,” Creel said.

Vicksburg-Warren School District Athletic Director Lum Wright, Jr., said he talked with Reed about the resignation on Monday and then placed an advertisement for the job on the Mississippi High School Athletic Association’s website.

“We both felt it was really important to get the two week advertisement done as quickly as possible. We’ll take applications until June 21st and then begin interviews the week of June 22-23,” Wright said.

Creel said he felt obligated to help the school find a new coach before July 1, when high school coaching contracts in Mississippi are normally finalized.

“I felt they shouldn’t need to wait until July 25 to name a new coach,” Creel said. “It would put the new coach in a bind. I know there will be a lot of experienced head coaches and some very good assistant coaches who will look at this job. Bazinsky Field is one of the best baseball facilities in the state. We also have a good group of sophomores from the past season, that in two years, when the school moves to 5A, will have a shot to win state.”

Wright thanked Creel for his service.

“If I could hire Jamie Creel tomorrow, I would,” Wright said. “He did a wonderful job with the baseball program at Vicksburg High School. He was very successful. That’s why it’s important to get a new coach as soon as possible. We want to keep that momentum going.”

Creel said he hopes the new coach will be able to continue to keep the community involved with the program. One of the highlights of Creel’s tenure was his coaching the Vicksburg age 16-and-under all-stars in the Babe Ruth Southwest Regional in 2007.

“That was one of the most memorable experiences as a coach here in Vicksburg,” Creel said. “We took kids from Vicksburg and Warren Central and played together as one team for this city. It was one of the most gratifying things I’ve done through baseball.”

Creel said he will miss most is the relationship his two young sons, Chandler and Cooper, had with the Gator players.

“That’s going to be the saddest part about all this. My two boys loved being around the players. Getting to ride the bus with them. It was the best thing in the world for them,” Creel said.

Creel also thanked his wife, E.J. The couple just recently had their third child, a daughter, Camille.