North Park coach let go

Scott Pethel was let go as head coach at North Park. He had been the head coach of the Vikings for seven years, compiling a 10-60 record.

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The program has not won a conference game since Oct. 7, 2000, a streak of 89 consecutive losses. In 2011, the Vikings won all three of their non-conference games and lost two conference games by just three points each. They were not competitive in 2012, however, losing every conference game by at least three touchdowns and only beating 0-10 Olivet.

The last time North Park went .500 was under Tim Rucks, the current Carthage coach, in 1993. The Vikings haven't had a winning record since 1968.

Pethtel was just the second North Park football coach to reach 10 career wins in the past 45 years.

North Park athletic director Jack Surridge said: “We appreciate the hard work and energy that coach Pethtel has put into this program. He is a strong Christian witness, an excellent mentor of young men and an exceptional example as a coach, father and husband. He and his wife Cyndy have worked tirelessly in providing a family atmosphere for Viking football. However, because the football program has not progressed as we would have wanted, we have accepted Coach Pethtel’s resignation."