BRIDGEPORT — The Bridgeport Exempted Village School District is in the market for a new head football coach.

Fred Ray said Tuesday that he is stepping down after six seasons as the Bulldogs sideline boss. The former Martins Ferry and Ohio University standout quarterback was 18-41 during his time at Bridgeport. His team’s made the OHSAA playoffs the last two seasons, losing in the first round each year.

“There is no perfect time to do this,” Ray said in a telephone interview Tuesday night. “This is my second time rebuilding a high school football program. I’ve spent a lot of time away from home and it’s time for me to spend more time with my wife.

“When I got the job at Bridgeport it was all gas and no brakes. I’m looking forward to some time off.”

Bridgeport Exempted Village School District Superintendent Brent Ripley said nobody within the school district was interested in the position, which also includes supervisor of the weight program.

“We have posted the job externally,” Ripley said Tuesday afternoon via telephone. “Fred was able to meet with the kids Monday before we posted the job. He has agreed to stay on and run the weight program until we find someone to fill the positions.

“Fred is a great man who did a lot of good things for our program,” Ripley praised. “Six years is a long time for a football coach at one school. He built the program from the ground up and has us moving in the right direction.”

Ray will continue to teach at Bridgeport High School.

“There is no doubt that my phone will be ringing off the hook with other coaching opportunities,” Ray admitted. “I will miss the relationships I’ve made, especially with my coaching staff who many of have been with me the full six years or five. Those are life-long relationships.

“I also loved working with the kids and watching them grow up into young men.”

Ray has also coached at Fairview (Ky.) and River Valley High School in Bidwell, Ohio.