The Pike County Board of Education approved the resignation of Pike County High School athletic director and head football Rodney Dollar effective immediately.

Fred Holland, who was named interim coach when Dollar was placed on administrative leave in September, was approved as the new athletic director and head football coach effective today.

“I’m excited about Coach Holland taking over,” Pike County principal Willie Wright said. “He’s been a part of this school and community for a long time and will do a great job.”

Holland took over just before the fifth game of the season and a month later led the Bulldogs to their lone victory of the season against Geneva.

Holland has been a faculty member at Pike County for 17 years. He was also a member of Pike County’s 1988 state championship team as well as defensive coordinator under former coach Wayne Grant during the Bulldogs 2003, 2005 and 2006 state title runs.

Dollar came to Pike County from Tallassee High School where he led the Tigers to three consecutive playoff appearances from 2008-10. Dollar also rebuilt programs at Frisco City and Houston Academy.

It was a rough start for Dollar at Pike County, however. At the time of his departure, the team was 0-4 for the first time since 1998 and had scored just 20 points in those contests.

“The future of the program is bright,” Wright said. “After a 1-8 season, you can’t set your goals too high but Coach Holland and these kids have shown dedication to the program. I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people next year.”

Dollar will be transferred to Banks School as physical education teacher for the remainder of the school year.