Meadville — Franklin County High School completed interviews of five candidates for its open head football coaching position Friday, and the school expects to make a decision on the new head coach by the middle of next week, Athletic Director Chris Calcote said.

The school received 23 inquires and narrowed that list down to five candidates who all interviewed this week.

“We want somebody with some head coaching experience,” Calcote said. “We want somebody who will buy into the community, and someone who will stay for a long time, not just go 10-0 and go somewhere the next year.”

Calcote will review candidates with the Franklin County search committee Monday and Tuesday.

“We are well on our way to starting our new program,” he said. “We will just weigh the pros and cons (of each candidate).”

Former Bulldogs head coach Ricky was informed after the Thanksgiving break that he would be reassigned to coach boys and girls basketball, beginning this fall.

O’Quinn was 21-17 in three seasons as the Bulldogs’ head coach.