Hampton resigns as head coach at Eldorado

When opportunity knocks, you always have two choices.<br />Brandon Hampton's decision - opening the door on a new position - isn't one that he ever thought would be a reality, but the promise of what the new position holds was one he couldn't pass up.<br />On Tuesday, Hampton announced his resignation as head coach at Eldorado High School to become an assistant at Paris High School in Paris, Texas.<br />In a text message, Hampton said: "It is with mixed emotions that I announce my decision to leave Eldorado High school. Although I am grateful for and excited about this opportunity, this was a very difficult decision to make; one that involved much introspection and prayer. Ginger and I love Eldorado, the staff, students, alumni and fans. This community and town has been and always will be home. To be able to come back home as the head coach here has been an incredible blessing. <br />"I simply feel called to take on this new challenge and start a new chapter in my family's journey. I am proud of what we have accomplished together in Eldorado. It is my hope that we have left the football program in a much better place than when we arrived here. That was always our goal. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to all my former players who have worked and sacrificed to reestablish the football program here and make it one of the most respected in southern Illinois. Their efforts have allowed this door to open for myself, Ginger and the girls. Again, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be the head football coach here. I pray that God will continue to bless the Eagle football program, Eldorado High School and the community."<br />Hampton, a 1996 graduate of Eldorado High School, was named head coach in 2008. He suffered some lean years when he took over, going 2-16 his first two seasons. Since then, the Eagles have gone 46-24 with six playoff appearances, including four straight and has two Black Diamond Conference titles to Hampton's name.<br />In March, Hampton was named the Southern Illinois Football Coaches Association Coach of the Year after leading the Eagles to a 9-2 finish that included a first-round win over Flora in the Class 2A playoffs.<br />The win was the first for a Black Diamond Conference school over a non-BDC opponent in the postseason for the first time since 2009. It also broke a streak of 28 years without a playoff win.<br />Hampton said he spoke with his team Tuesday morning and then later had meetings with school officials.<br />Paris is located an hour and 45 minutes northeast of Dallas, Texas.<br /><br /><em>Michael Dann covers prep and college sports for the Harrisburg Daily Register and Eldorado Daily Journal. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.</em>