Matt Norris won’t return as Vinemont’s football coach this fall.

The former Red and White assistant, who took over the program in 2015, was informed earlier this month his contract wouldn’t be renewed prior to the 2017-18 school year.

Norris secured a 3-17 record in two seasons with the Eagles, which included five losses by single digits. Current assistants will lead the team through summer workouts until a permanent hire is made.

“The reason I was given is that the winning is the most important thing to the community,” Norris said. “If that’s indeed the case, then I anticipate coaching changes throughout the athletic program. I think two years is a very short window for a turnaround in football, especially given the talented class we lost in 2015 and our numbers. I thought we had plenty of successes in some big areas, but those successes are obviously not as important as what’s on the scoreboard.”

Norris is still employed by the Cullman County Board of Education as a tenured teacher.

“I’ll miss coaching those kids,” he said. “They’re great kids. At the end of the day, though, it’s their school to run as they see fit. I’m looking forward to spending time with my wife and daughter. I’m also looking forward to spending what time I have left with my dad. I feel like I’ve really sacrificed my life in a lot more ways than a community who will judge 1-9 and 2-8 will ever know.”

The decision to go in another direction wasn’t an easy one for Vinemont’s administration.

“Coach Norris is a great man who worked extremely hard,” said Vinemont principal Ferrell Runge. “Things just haven’t worked out when it comes to wins and losses. I hate that he was in that position. It’s unfortunate things didn’t work out for the program.”

Runge, who announced his retirement effective June 30, added he’d like to make a hire as soon as possible.

“We will be starting from scratch,” he said. “Obviously, we want to bring in the best person for the position, but you’re always a bit limited by the number of teaching positions you have available.”