Five months after being hired to take over the Warrenton football team, John Atwell announced he is stepping down from his role as head coach. Atwell's resignation was approved during the school board meeting on Thursday, Nov. 10. Atwell says he will remain on staff as an assistant but felt it best if he didn't continue as head coach. A year after reaching the state championship game, the Warriors finished just 1-9. "It was the best thing for everybody," said Atwell, regarding his decision. "I failed in returning the team to the Dome this year. I didn't meet the expectations that had been set." Warrenton lost its final nine games after beating St. Charles in Week One, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2007. Activities Director Craig Frazier says he met with Atwell following the season. "Coach and I had discussed how the season went," said Frazier. "He came to us and realized it just wasn't the right fit. We wanted to let somebody else try to lead the program." Frazier says the search for a new coach will start immediately, beginning with a slate of in-house candidates. "We are now in the process," said Frazier. "We'll open the position internally first. We'll find some qualified candidates, and then we'll move forward. Hopefully we'll have somebody in place by the first of the year." Atwell says his intentions of being a part of the program have not changed, and he hopes to remain in the district. "I felt like it was the best case scenario to step down as head coach and hopefully I can continue to coach on the varsity level and continue to teach at Warrenton," said Atwell. "I still have the same aspirations as a coach. Nothing has changed for me." While injuries to many of its most experienced players hindered Warrenton's season, Atwell says that doesn't make light of a 1-9 season. "Excuses don't change the outcome," asserted Atwell. "I've told players for years tht nobody wants to hear why you didn't get the job done. It's just that you didn't get it done." Atwell says he enjoys working in the district and would like to continue in his role as an American History teacher. "I truly love working at the high school," said Atwell. Atwell was hired in late May to replace Ken Moore, who left for a similar position at Holt. Prior to coming to Warrenton, Atwell was an assistant at De Smet and St. Charles. He had spent three seasons as head coach at Riverview Gardens.