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The Warriors had their first winning season in the program's history in 2007, finishing 6-3 and earning their first ever state playoff berth.

"I have no comment on this issue," Forest Area superintendent John Smith wrote in an e-mail message when contacted by The Leader. Ron Stremlow, recently named to replace Bonnie Gonyer as athletic director, informed Crossley of the decision.

Crossley served as the varsity coach the last two years, following three seasons as an assistant.

He was not given a reason for his dismissal.

"I asked for another reason, and I wasn't given one," Crossley said Sunday night. "My guess is that the new superintendent ... [it] was two type A personalities, and that doesn't always work together.

"That, and I feel that he wanted to get his people there, and not what he was given. It's the only explanation I can come up with." Forest Area loses only two seniors - but both were major contributors to the team's success.

Graduating in June will be 1,000-yard rusher Ben Wyatt and leading defensive player Michael Mouton who this year made over 100 tackles. Stremlow views the glass being half full, rather than half empty for whoever takes over the football program.

"I think that we have a great base for whoever is hired as coach," Stremlow said. "Wyatt and Mouton will be missed, certainly.

"But, there's plenty of talent coming back ... and it will be experienced. Everyone has had another year of playing football."

Key returners include quarterback John Ricketts, running back Justin Gordon (who also rushed for over 1,000 yards) and wide out Tyler Denike, the team's placekicker and punter.

The school started a junior varsity program last year, and with a feeder system in place the varsity program should just get better.

"I wish those kids nothing but luck," Crossley said. "I feel like those kids are part of my family. I hope that they have great success next season. "And I hope that Forest Area Community Schools has a plan in place to take care of those kids.

"We all hear that it's about the kids. Now is the time to show that." Stremlow posted the position internally, and it is also being advertised outside the school system.

Forest Area will have some competition to find a replacement for Crossley with fellow Ski Valley members Pellston and Bellaire, as well as Kingsley and McBain also hunting for new coaches. Stremlow did not attend the school board meeting, but was told by his superiors to tell Crossley of the decision.

Crossley was not on the faculty or employed at Forest Area.

The school will search for the most qualified candidate, Stremlow said. "It's usually the big thing you're looking at," Stremlow said. "And, there's no set deadline that we have to have one by next week.

"As you can see, there are a lot of positions open. Everybody is in that same boat. There's no reason to jump fast. "You want to have it done before June, so the new coach can put in his summer off-season program.

"And he can get an idea of what's up. My goal is to have (a coach) in by April. It sounds easy. Hopefully, it will happen."

Crossley expects to be coaching somewhere next year.

"I don't know exactly where that's going to be," he said. "I've been in contact with a couple of different places, and a couple of different places have been in contact with me.

"But, I just haven't made that decision as of yet. It's only been 10 days since I was notified that I was relieved.

"To be honest with you, I'm still a little dazed that that happened. I haven't been able to make any decisions as to where I'll be next year, and in exactly what capacity."