NATCHEZ — Trinity Episcopal Day School baseball coach and football defensive coordinator Hunter Ogden resigned, Ogden confirmed Wednesday.

Ogden said he’s gotten an offer in Natchez for a job unrelated to coaching and teaching, and he said he felt it was time to step away from coaching to pursue a new career.

“My time at Trinity was well-spent,” Ogden said. “It was great coaching and teaching young kids over there. Everyone there was great all the way down. It was a tough decision that I’ve been thinking about for several weeks, and I ended up taking it.”

Trinity headmaster Les Hegwood said he was sad to see Ogden go, but was grateful for the work he did in the fall semester at Trinity. Ogden led a Saints defensive unit that pitched five shutouts and held opponents to less than 10 points per game en route to an MAIS Class A state title this past season.

“We hate it because we’re losing a talented coach, and we care a lot about him, but he has an opportunity he can’t pass up,” Hegwood said. “We wish him the best and appreciate his good work.”

Ogden declined to say which job he took locally and said he left Trinity on good terms. He also said former head coach Josh Loy’s recent termination wasn’t the main reason for his departure. Loy hired Ogden this past spring.

“Coach Loy and I have been friends for a long time and have gotten closer, and I can’t say (his termination) didn’t have anything to do with it, but it wasn’t the deciding factor,” Ogden said. “I just felt it was time for me to step out.”

Ogden also said he was a bit disappointed he won’t get to coach the baseball team this spring, but he expects his players to understand his decision.

“I know it’s bad timing, but I think it was time to move on,” Ogden said. “Sometimes we have to make decisions to do things we need to do, and I definitely think this group of kids understands. Hopefully, they’ll be able to have a great season (in baseball) and do well for whoever comes in and fills the job.”

Hegwood said the school is looking at all options for filling Ogden’s position.

“We’ve slated a list of folks to talk with, and we’re going to go through the process,” Hegwood said. “We want to solidify this sooner rather than later, we just can’t say for sure when that will be yet.”