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NEDERLAND — Nederland High School is in need of a new head football coach and athletic director after the resignation Monday of Monte Barrow.

Nederland Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Stuart Kieschnick and School Board President Micah Mosley didn’t share if they were surprised by the news when reached for comment Monday, adding it was a personnel issue.

Mosley said Barrow made the decision to resign, adding as a student-athlete who played under Barrow, that the former coach was a great man on and off the field.

“I have nothing but good memories of my times with Monte. He was great to play for,” Mosley said. “He put his heart and soul into Nederland athletics, and we wish him the best in whatever he does next.”

Mosley deferred additional comment to the superintendent.

Kieschnick said Barrow has been a 30-year school district employee.

“We’re proud of his service in the district, proud of his work with kids,” Kieschnick said.

According to Kieschnick, the upcoming search for a new fulltime coach and athletic director is going to be “vitally important” to the future of Nederland football and school-wide athletics.

“We’re going to do a statewide search and find the best person possible for this job to come in and take this program to the next level,” he said. “We’ll be looking for the perfect person for the perfect job.”

Nederland officials made the resignation announcement public with a release just after noon Monday.

“NISD would like to thank Coach Barrow for his many years of service to the district and wishes him success in his future endeavors,” a statement from the administration read. “In addition, NISD would like to thank Coach Barrow for his commitment to all NISD Athletics.”

Current defensive coordinator Chris Theriot is serving as interim athletic director and head football coach.

Barrow and Theriot did not initially return calls seeking comment.

In 2022, a young Nederland team finished 2-8 on the season (2-5 in District 9-5A Division II). The then sophomore-heavy team was competitive in many games despite the final record.

In 2023, the Nederland Bulldogs’ season ended with an opening-round playoff loss to the Lake Creek Lions, 53-6, on the road in Montgomery.

The loss was a tough one for the Bulldogs, whose season concluded with a 4-7 overall record.

Despite the final score, Barrow was complimentary of his team’s effort and the way his players left everything on the field following the game.

“Our team never stopped playing,” he told Port Arthur Newsmedia after the game. “I’m always gonna be proud for that. We’re telling them it’s not about the score of one game, it’s about the journey they’ve been on since last January.”