Chelsea head football coach and athletic director Watt Parker has announced that he will leave the school in a few weeks to take a position at Arab High School.

Chelsea High School principal Patricia Gray confirmed Tuesday that Parker made the announcement to his team in a meeting last week.

Parker will take over the head coaching position with Arab football as well as the school&8217;s athletic director duties.

&8220;Coach Parker is an excellent teacher and has improved our athletic program tremendously in his time here,&8221; Gray said. &8220;We hate to see him go, but understand that he has an opportunity to do what&8217;s best for his family.&8221;

Parker coached Hornets football for four years, garnering a 34-14 record and three playoff appearances.

In addition to coaching, Gray said Parker is an excellent teacher.

&8220;He was our teacher of the year this year,&8221; she said. &8220;He is a great AP Calculus teacher among other subjects.&8221;

Gray said that a job posting for the vacant coaching position was scheduled to be published Tuesday afternoon.

&8220;Right now, the position is wide open,&8221; she said, &8220;and we&8217;ve had a lot of interest from a lot of people.&8221;