Decatur names Woolard as new coach

Ryan Woolard is the new football coach for the Decatur Bulldogs.

Decatur will be the Woolard’s first head coaching job after he spent the last seven years as an assistant coach at McDonald County High School in Missouri. Woolard replaces Shane Holland, who will remain at Decatur and coach the boys and girls track and field teams.

Holland was the football coach at Decatur for the last six years. The team finished 1-9 last season.

“Ryan is a young guy with a lot of innovative ideas,” Decatur Athletic Director John Unger said. “He comes well-recommended and we think he will bring a lot of energy to our program.”

Decatur also hired Sheldon McKenzie as an assistant football coach. McKenzie was a volunteer coach last year at Gravette.

The Bulldogs, who struggled to field a team last season, open the season Sept. 1 at home against Berryville.

“We should have between 17 to 20 kids out for football, and we could get some more with the new coach coming in,” Unger said.