Last Updated:May 07. 2008 11:16PM
Published: May 08. 2008 3:30AM

Two schools in Lauderdale County are looking for new head football coaches.

Chris Balentine resigned at Wilson last week, and Central coach Steve Mayfield has also turned in his resignation.

Both positions have been posted, and their resignations are expected to be approved at tonight's board of education meeting.

Balentine has accepted a job at Muscle Shoals High School, where he will become the defensive coordinator for new coach Scott Basden. Balentine spent two years at Wilson, his alma mater, but said the chance to work with Basden and help turn around the Muscle Shoals program was too good to pass up.

"It's the hardest decision I've had to make," he said. "There are a lot of good players coming up. Scott and I have been friends for 20 years. We were roommates in college. He called and offered me a job."

Balentine said discussions about the job began during spring break.

"It happened very quickly," he said. "We talked, and I decided it was a good opportunity. Muscle Shoals is the best school system around here, bar none."

Balentine said he is eager to help Basden establish the Muscle Shoals program. Basden was hired earlier in the spring after Curley Hallman was relieved of his coaching duties.

"The school board has made a commitment to the football program," Balentine said. "I believe in what Scott is doing. I think we can have a football program that is up to par with the basketball and the baseball program."

Balentine has previous coaching stops at Brooks, Florence, Cherokee and Wilson. He spent two years at Wilson, leading the Warriors to 12 wins. His first Wilson team went 8-3 and qualified for the playoffs. The Warriors were 4-6 last season.

Mayfield was a long-time assistant at Central before being named head coach in 2006. He served as head coach of the Wildcats the past two seasons.

"I just felt it was time for a change," Mayfield said. "We were in a lot of games last year, and I'm proud of the improvement we made, but I just felt the kids needed a change and I did, too."

Although the Wildcats struggled to a 1-19 record as they tried to rebuild under Mayfield, Central principal David Corl said he was pleased with the job Mayfield did as head coach.

"I know the wins and loses are not what people wanted, but Steve did a great job working with our kids and that means a lot," Corl said. "We've got some good young kids coming up, and he has the program headed in the right direction. I appreciate the hard work Steve has put in the past two years."

Shortly after going through an 0-10 season in 2006, Mayfield was diagnosed with lymphoma and went through several months of chemotherapy, but was able to return and coach last season. Mayfield said his health was not the main reason for his resignation.

"I got a good report from my last checkup, and I feel better than I have in two years," he said. "But going through something like that changes your view of life and that was a factor, although not the only factor. I just want to watch my two boys play golf."

Corl said assistant coach Greg Brewer is serving as interim coach and leading the team through spring practice. Corl said he hopes to have a new head coach in place by May 30.

The board of education is also expected to approve a new boys basketball coach at Lauderdale County and a new girls basketball coach at Lexington during tonight's meeting.

Gregg Dewalt can be reached at 740-5748 or gregg.dewalt@Timesdaily.com

Jeff McIntyre can be reached at 740-5737 or jeff.mcintyre@Timesdaily.com.