FERRIDAY, La. — A Texas teacher and coach has decided not to become the new headmaster and head football coach at Huntington School, school board president Randy Miller announced Saturday.

Jeff Walker, 42, of Kerrville Texas, sent a fax and an e-mail to the board of the private school Friday saying he had changed his mind for personal and private matters.

&uot;It’s just a personal decision,&uot; Walker said Saturday. Private family matters factored into the decision, he said. Walker described the choice as unfortunate and difficult and said it had nothing to do with the school.

&uot;(The) people at Huntington are great people,&uot; he said. &uot;It’s a wonderful school. I feel confident things will work out for the best, for them and me.&uot;

Miller was not pleased to learn Walker had changed his mind. The board had just announced its selection of Walker Wednesday.

&uot;I would be disappointed in anybody who gave me his word and backed out on it,&uot; Miller said.

If Walker had decided to come to Huntington he would have replaced former headmaster Russ Green, who resigned last month.

The school board is already in the process of contacting other people for the position, Miller said.

&uot;We will get something in place as soon as possible,&uot; he said.

Miller said he thinks the board will be looking for two people now — a principal and a head football coach.&160; Of the applicants the board has considered, two were qualified to hold both positions — Walker and another who turned down the job, Miller said.