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Highlands to keep searching for head football coach after Eddie James backs out

James will remain Franklin County head coach
Highlands High School
Posted at 6:38 PM, Jan 12, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-12 18:52:41-05

FORT THOMAS, Ky. — Days after the Highlands football program introduced Franklin County's Eddie James as its new head coach, the school says James reneged on his commitment Tuesday.

James spent the last four years as the head coach at Franklin County, his alma mater, and led the Flyers to a state runner-up finish in the Kentucky Class 4A playoffs. He was introduced as the Bluebirds' next head coach at a press conference Sunday.

By Tuesday, the school said James backed out on the offer and will stay at Franklin County.

"We are very disappointed in Coach James' decision, but we are moving on," read a statement from Highlands principal Matt Bertasso. "We want somebody who wants to be at Highlands and build on our pedigree of excellence here, and our search for the next football coach will resume immediately. We will find the right person to restore our championship tradition."

Head coach Brian Weinrich, who led the Bluebirds since 2014, stepped down in December.