Siloam Springs Coach Hired At Conway

Conway approved the hiring of Siloam Springs football coach Clint Ashcraft Thursday night in a special school board meeting. Ashcraft replaces longtime coach Kenny Smith, who resigned last month. "I'm elated," said Ashcraft, 33. "I'm just happy I get the opportunity." Ashcraft coached the Panthers the past four years totaling a 31-15 record. His team finished 9-3 this fall making it the first squad since 1950 to earn 9 wins. The Panthers also played a home playoff game for the first time since 1987. Siloam Springs accumulated more than 4,000 yards of offense in 2008 and beat Little Rock Christian 24-20 in the first round of the playoffs. "I am very excited about Coach Ashcraft and what he is bringing to Conway," Conway athletic director Buzz Bolding said. "I truly believe he will not only be a difference maker in our football program but also in our community." Ashcraft, a Watson Chapel alum, attended Arkansas State and assisted at Watson Chapel for three years before serving at Arkansas Tech as a graduate assistant. He then assisted at Greenbrier and at Siloam Springs for a season before being elevated to head coach when Billy Dawson accepted the Nashville job. "I've been (at Siloam Springs) for five years, so it's tough (to leave)," Ashcraft said. "Our coaching staff gets along great and the administration has been nothing but supportive, which makes me feel even worse. I owe this opportunity to the kids because of how hard they worked and played. I'm indebted to them, and they probably don't even realize it." Ashcraft won't bring any assistants with him as there are no open slots on the staff. Ashcraft's new assistants must shift from the run-oriented Wing-T to The Spread scheme and the 4-3 defense. Conway picked Ashcraft over 29 other applicants. Former Texarkana coach Bill Keopple withdrew last week when Southern Arkansas hired him as head coach. Ashcraft, Lonoke's Jeff Jones and Neosho (Mo.) coach Shawn Flanigan were the finalists. "It's a great job and everybody around the state knows the potential here," Ashcraft said. "I'm surprised. I'm not going to lie. There are some great coaches on the list. I'm lucky, and I'm very blessed to get a chance to build the program at Conway." Other notables that applied are: Mountain Home's Shane Patrick, former Razorback quarterback and veteran college and pro assistant Ron Calcagni, Harrisburg's Keith Davis, Little Rock McClellan assistant Alfred Mohammed and former Southern Arkansas coach Steve Quinn. Arkadelphia coach Billy Elmore inquired but never sent a formal application.