Jason Bowen, Siloam Springs head soccer coach, has resigned from his teaching and coaching positions at Siloam Springs High School effective April 3.
On March 6, school officials announced he had been placed on a leave of absence.
His resignation came before the School Board during a meeting Thursday evening. The board voted to accept Bowen’s resignation letter, dated March 11.
“I have enjoyed the past 13 years of service within the school district but due to health concerns and the best interests of my family I feel that at this time this is what’s best for me,” Bowen wrote in the letter.
He has taught and coached in the Siloam Springs School District since 2002. He was assigned head boys and girls soccer coach in 2004 and has coached both programs for 11 seasons.
“His years of service to the school district are admirable,” said superintendent Ken Ramey. “He built the (soccer) program on his own efforts. He was very competitive, and a hard, hard worker. Our thoughts are for him and his family. We wish him the best and hope everything goes well for him.”
Siloam Springs has won three state championships under Bowen, capturing back-to-back boys state titles in 5A in 2011 and 2012 and a girls state title in 2014. The boys also made state finals appearances in 2005, 2007 and 2013, while the girls were state finalists in 2013 as well.
Bowen is 167-65-13 coaching the boys team and 126-93-12 with the girls. His total record coaching soccer in Siloam Springs is 293-158-25.
Head boys track coach Chuck Jones has taken over the duties of head soccer coach, Ramey said. Jones served as assistant soccer coach under Bowen from 2011 to 2014.
“We’re very, very fortunate to have Chuck Jones to step in there and help us,” Ramey said.
Ramey said the changes were unforeseen and described Jones as willing and gracious for taking on the role. It’s very important for the kids to have the opportunity to compete with a qualified coach this season, he said.
Ramey said there have yet to be any discussions about who will head the soccer program next year.
District athletics director Kevin Downing said that head cross-country coach Sharon Jones will serve as head boys track coach and Conlan Eford will assist with the track program to help with the shortage of coaches.