Before the Warhorses begin its 2010 football season, Barnwell High will have to do some recruiting.

However, this won't be for a new linebacker or defensive end, but a new head coach.

Head football coach Joey Still, resigned Jan. 15. The district issued a brief statement, but gave no reason for the resignation.

"As of the 15th of this month, Joey Still resigned as the head football coach of Barnwell High School," said Roy Sapough, the school superintendent. "He is still teaching."

Still teaches biology at the high school.

Still said he is looking at options and has already interviewed at a few schools.

"My family and I are going to start a new chapter in our lives," Still said of his resignation. "I feel that God's got a plan for me. We are not limited to where we can go."

"I'm still pursuing to be a head football coach," he said.

"It had always been a dream of mine to be a head football coach at Barnwell High," Still said. "I want to thank the community and everybody who gave me the chance to make my dream a reality."

Still was first hired by the district in 2004 as a teacher and assistant coach. He became the head football coach and athletic director in March 2005. In January 2009, Still stepped down as the athletic director. Rosey Anderson is now in that position.

In his five years as the head football coach, Still had a cumulative record of 28 victories and 28 losses overall with a region game record of 19 wins and six losses, having taken the Warhorses to the region playoffs four times.

Still's best season was in 2005 when the Warhorses garnered a 10-3 overall game record and went 2-1 in region play, advancing to the third round of the Class 2A playoffs before losing to Carver's Bay High School.

The last few years have seen some hardships for the Barnwell football program.

In 2008, James Wooden, a linebacker, died from complications due to heatstroke after a football practice.

During this past season, Barnwell High had to forfeit its first two football victories after it was discovered they had an ineligible player participating. The team also did not make it to the region playoffs in 2009 for the first time in five years.

The district has posted Still's vacancy with the S.C. High School League, the state's athletic ruling body.

The district has gotten about 15 responses, some as far away as Nebraska, sasid Margaret Metheny, the human resources director.

The position will stay open until filled, she said.

"Hopefully I'm made an impact in a kid's life and hopefully shown some young fellow how to be a good father and husband," Still said.

Sports Editor Michael Young contributed to this story.