Mark Little

By DAN BISER
Sports editor

Mark Little, head football coach at Whiteville High School since 2002, submitted his resignation from the position Monday to accept the newly established position of athletic director for the city school system.

Since arriving at WHS, Little has served as athletic director for the high school in addition to his football coaching duties.

During his six seasons as WHS head coach, Little has guided the Wolfpack to a record of 46 wins and 22 losses, including the 2006 Waccamaw Conference championship and three 9-win seasons.

His teams qualified for the state 2A playoffs each season, advancing to the third round in 2003 and the second round in 2002 and 2005.

This past season WHS posted a 6-6 record, losing five of its last six games and finishing fifth in the conference standings.

In the six seasons prior to Little’s hiring, the WHS football team had a combined won-loss record of 15-48, including five losses by forfeit due to the use of an ineligible player during the 1999 season.

Little, 56, is a native of Clarkton and a graduate of Campbell University.

Most of his previous coaching experience had been at West Stanly High School.

Whiteville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Randy Shaver encouraged Little to pursue the position of system athletic director as did WHS principal John Westberg.

“I feel we need someone who can devote most of his time to coordinating the athletic programs at the high school and middle school,” Dr. Shaver said. “Without such coordination, our folks can never be on the same page. Mr. Little has had great success as a football coach and has demonstrated his administrative skill.

“This new position is really administrative and that is where he can best serve the student-athletes of Whiteville,” Dr. Shaver added. “I am very pleased he has chosen to accept this position.”

“This is a position we need and Mark Little is the right person to fill it for us,” Westberg said. “He will do an outstanding job and that should increase the quality of our overall athletic program.”

Little said that coaching the Wolfpack football team the last six seasons has been a rewarding experience.

“I would especially like to thank all the coaches that have been on my staff the past six seasons,” Little said. “Their hard work has helped make our program successful. I really appreciate the effort and dedication that our players have shown each year.

“I would also like to express my gratitude to everyone in the Whiteville community that has supported Wolfpack football the last six years – win or lose.”

Little will assume his new responsibilities, contingent upon Board of Education approval, on July 1, 2008.

The search process for a new head football coach is being prepared by Westberg and his staff. The search will begin as soon as that process receives approval from the superintendent.