Harrell resigns as Freedom coach, will be new Jesuit coach

Posted Feb 12, 2010 by Nick Williams

Updated Feb 12, 2010 at 01:59 PM

Freedom principal Chris Farkas said first-year football coach James Harrell turned in his resignation around 12:30 pm. today to accept the head coaching position at Jesuit.  Jesuit will officially introduce Harrell at a 2 p.m. press conference today at Jesuit.

This past season, Harrell guided the Patriots to a 7-3 record and the Class 5A region playoffs, where the team lost to Countryside in the quarterfinals.

Harrell, a former assistant at Jesuit, said he met with Jesuit administration last week. Harrell will replace Joe Ross, who resigned after five seasons in January. This past season, Ross led the Tigers back to the playoffs following a two-year absence and finished the season 9-2.

In other Freedom football news, senior receivers T.J. Mutcherson and Jacari Campbell and defensive back Josh McDougald have signed with Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa.

Mutcherson (5-11, 185 lbs.) was Freedom’s leading receiver this past season with 28 catches for 658 yards and four touchdowns. He was also the team’s leading kickoff returner with nine returns for 331 yards. Campbell (5-11, 165 lbs.) caught 15 passes for 154 yards with one touchdown and defensively, recorded 16 tackles and two sacks. McDougald (6-0, 185 lbs.) finished the year with 21 tackles and two interceptions.