Sterlington head coach Mike Collins let go by Zach Parker - posted Thursday, November 29th, 2012 @ 3:07 pm  E-mail Story |  Print Story  Sterlington opened a spot for the head coaching position this week after Panthers head football coach Mike Collins was let go. Collins coached the Panthers for six seasons beginning in the 2007 season after head coach Dell Ashley moved from sideline to desk as Sterlington High School's Principal. "Principal Ashley felt it was time to make a change in the school's football program," said Susan Spence, Vice President of the Ouachita Parish School Board. "The decision was difficult for Ashley who was good friends with Mike and we all felt like Mike did a good job there. But Ashley felt it was a good opportunity to make the changes necessary to improve the program." A No. 22 seed, Sterlington entered Class 2A playoffs, beating Aquinas with a score of 49-42, and advanced to the second round before losing to Calvary Baptist, 56-28. The Panthers finished second-place behind Homer in District 2-2A with a 4-1 record and finished the year with a 6-6 record. It was the second time during his tenure that Collins had led the Panthers to the second round of playoffs. The Panthers also qualified for 2A playoffs in 2008, 2010 and 2011. Spence said Ashley, who had coached the Panthers for 12 years before becoming principal, had helped out some with the team this season. "Ashley saw opportunities to take the program up a notch and thought the end of the season was the best time to start," Spence said. Spence said Ashley would now make plans to pick somebody different from the current head coach and get them into the position soon. Sterlington isn't the only local high school with a head coach vacancy as Richwood High School is accepting applications for the athletic director and head coach position, previously filled by Warren Trimble, until Dec. 14.