Ronnie Douglas has left Pleasant Home to take a coordinator’s position at Walton High School in Defuniak Springs, Fla.

Douglas coached at PHS for one season, and helped lead the Eagles to the second round of the Class 1A football state playoffs – its first in program history.

Effective Wednesday, PHS assistant football coach Cody McCain was promoted to Eagles head coach.

“I’m pretty excited,” McCain said of the promotion.

McCain will stay on as the head baseball coach for PHS for the remainder of the season.

Douglas said his time at PHS was rewarding on many levels.

“It was a blast,” Douglas said. “We had a great time there. I really appreciate (PHS principal) Mr. (Craig) Nichols giving me the opportunity and Mr. (Terry) Holley and the board getting me in there for the head coaching job.”

Douglas came to PHS late in the summer last year, and took the job on short notice.

“I had a real good relationship there at Covington County with the players and the parents,” he said.

One special relationship Douglas said meant a lot to him was with PHS senior kicker Kaleb Powell. Powell’s father, Johnny, died on Christmas Day, after a battle with cancer.

“God works in mysterious ways,” Douglas said. “He was a big part of the season. He (Powell) did some great things on the football field. We were real blessed.”

Last Tuesday, Douglas said he talked with Nichols and handed him his resignation letter.

“I recommended Coach McCain for the job,” Douglas said. “I think he will do a wonderful job. He’s a very smart coach and a very knowledgeable person.”

Douglas will be joining Jimmy Ray Steven’s staff as a coordinator, coaching either the offense of defense. Stevens gave Douglas his first coaching job. Stevens has spent 20 years in the college ranks, and comes to WHS from Middle Tennessee State University.

“He asked me to come over,” Douglas said. “I wanted to return the favor.”