Bill Blankenship Opens Up About Being New Head Coach At Fayetteville High School

Bill Blankenship is back in charge. 

After 14 years at Union, and the winningest season in University of Tulsa history, he's headed across state lines to Arkansas as the head coach at Fayetteville High School. 

Related Story: Bill Blankenship Named Fayetteville High School Head Coach

"This just fit us in a lot of ways,” said Blankenship. “[It’s] not too far away for grandkids, just a place that we felt like we could go invest and not be afraid to just jump right in."

Fayetteville Athletic Director Steve Janski is excited about the program’s new head man.

"He's so respected, not just in the high school ranks but the collegiate ranks as well,” Janski stated. “To say that we are blessed to have him and Angie is an understatement."

Blankenship thought he wanted to stay in college football, but after volunteering at Booker T. Washington this spring, his wife noticed a change.

"I think she used the term that it lit me up.  I was coming home after just a couple or three hours of being around those guys just thinking 'man, I have missed this,'" Blankenship recalled.

This isn't your average high school job; the Fayetteville Bulldogs are the defending state champs in Arkansas' largest class and come with big time facilities and tradition.

"You get to know a little about Fayetteville schools, you get to know a little bit about the football program, about this community and then you go 'I think I get why people rave about it so much,'" Blankenship added.

He leaves with his new team Thursday morning for passing league, the first step in a legendary coach's next chapter.