After four seasons as head coach of the football team at Cedartown High School, Mark Loudermilk has decided to step down.

According to Cedartown High Principal Hal David, Loudermilk has said he will step down from his position. As of 2:30 p.m. Friday afternoon no official resignation letter had been turned in yet, but David said that he expected to have it after school today.

Loudermilk met with his team around 9 a.m. this morning to tell the players of his decision.

“Unfortunately things don’t always work out the way you want them to,” Loudermilk said.

Loudermilk was named Head Coach in the winter of 2006 but went 0-10 his first season and the Bulldogs never produced a winning record during his four years as taskmaster.

The veteran coach compiled an 11-30 record at Cedartown, including making a first round appearance in the Class AAA state playoffs in 2007.

According to David, Loudermilk will remain in his position as athletic director until the end of the school year.

“There will be a change made for next year at both the head football coach and athletic director positions, but (Loudermilk) will continue his athletic director duties until school lets out for the summer” David said. “I want to wish him well in his future endeavors. I always felt like he was a man of integrity and whatever he chooses to do after this I hope he is successful in it.”

With Loudermilk stepping down, the Bulldogs will be now looking to hire their fourth head coach in 10 years.

After John Hill coached Cedartown for 25 seasons (1976-2000), Everett Kelley took over for four years (2001-2004) before Matt Hollis had a one-year stint in 2005. Loudermilk had then been in control until today.

David did add that a search for a new head coach would begin after Thanksgiving.