Phase one of the search for Vicksburg High’s next head football coach is complete. Now, it’s on to the next round.

The deadline to submit applications for the job passed at noon Wednesday, with about 40 coaches submitting resumés. VHS principal Derrick Reed, who is leading the search, said he and Vicksburg Warren athletic director Lum Wright Jr. will spend the next day or two reviewing the candidates and narrowing the field for interviews.

Reed declined to list any candidates by name.

“We’ve got approximately 40-plus resumés and applications. It’s a good number,” Reed said. “It’s been from all over the state. A few from out of state. Texas, Georgia, Louisiana.”

Reed wasn’t sure when interviews will take place, but it’ll have to be a quick turnaround to get someone approved this month. The school board will meet Dec. 15, and then the next meeting is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 26.

Alonzo Stevens, who is retiring after 11 seasons as the Gators’ coach, received a letter from Reed last week asking him to vacate his office in the football fieldhouse by Dec. 20.

“We’ve talked about when we want to do it, but we can’t finalize anything at this time,” Reed said. “If it’s not by this board meeting, then the next one. We want to have our next coach in place as soon as possible to give them the opportunity to succeed.”

Whoever succeeds Stevens will have some big shoes — and some even bigger holes in the roster — to fill.

Stevens finished with a career record of 63-65, and was associated with the VHS program since 1976 as either an assistant or head coach. On the field, a horde of talented skill players, including quarterback Cameron Cooksey, leading receiver A.J. Stamps and leading rusher Darius Youngblood, are all graduating.

Reed said he’s looking for a coach who can not only teach on the football field, but in the classroom as well.

“With me, I look for a good teacher. I hire teachers before I hire coaches. But they go hand-in-hand. The best coaches are good teachers, too,” Reed said. “There’s not a particular teaching field we’re looking for. We’re just looking for the right fit.”