Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Farmington Hires Eldridge
FARMINGTON — For the first time in 18 seasons Farmington has new head football coach with the school board approving the hiring of JR Eldridge on Monday night.
Athletic director Beau Thompson introduced Eldridge noting he fielded hundreds of inquiries regarding the position following the resignation of Mike Adams in December.
According to Thompson, 40 applications were received from various states including Arkansas, Kansas, Texas, Louisiana, Ohio, New Mexico, California, Missouri and Tennessee.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity; my family is really excited,” Eldridge said explaining his mission statement is to give his players the best high school football experience they can have.
Eldridge didn’t say whether he would push for the addition of more coaches to the staff, something Adams hoped his retirement would become a catalyst for. Elridge said his first priority will be getting all the coaches on the same page.
Eldridge’s family accompanied him to the school board meeting and he introduced his wife, Audrey, and sons, Jack, 14; Max, 12; and Tripp, 6.
“I love this area. I think it will be great for my kids to grow up here,” Eldridge said.
“We’re glad to have you here, coach,” said board President Travis Warren. “The community is excited.”
Warren said he appreciated Eldridge sharing his vision statement with the board.
Eldridge met with Farmington football players grades 7-12 in a group setting Tuesday before their athletic period.
Eldridge will endeavor to create a football culture built on two purposes: teaching life lessons that will enable players to be successful in life and to compete for and win conference and state football championships.
Eldridge led North Little Rock to a Class 7A State Runner-up finish in 2020 after coaching 9 seasons at Arkadelphia, where he recalled competing against Prairie Grove and coach Danny Abshier during the 2015 Class 4A State playoffs.
Eldridge said he’s looking forward to competing against Abshier in the annual ‘Battle of 62.’
Eldridge plans to run a balanced offense capable of exploiting what the defense gives either attacking the perimeter or the box shifting from multiple sets sometimes without changing personnel quickly.
His contract at Farmington starts Feb. 1.