GULF SHORES, Ala. — Hired in February to lead Gulf Shores High, Rick Cauley resigned as athletic director and head football coach. He is joining the staff at his high-school alma mater, Satsuma High in August. Cauley left the head-coaching job at Murphy for the GSHS spot made vacant after Jamie Williams was released after just two seasons.

Gulf Shores High Principal Cindy Veazey, just beginning her first term said that no interim has been named, but Coach PJ Wright, Assistant AD, along with other coaching staff are continuing to oversee the summer workouts as scheduled.

"Any vacancy in the school system is required to post for two weeks," Veazey said. "I will move as quickly as possible after that required time to provide the quickest transition for our players."

GSHS competes in (Nine-team Class 6A, Region 1) one of the toughest leagues in the Alabama High School Athletic Association. That includes recent deep state-playoff contenders Blount, Daphne, Spanish Fort and Saraland. Only the top four teams make the state postseason playoffs.

The official start of 2017 fall practice for Alabama High School Athletic Association programs begins Aug. 7. The Dolphins are scheduled to open their 2017 season at Mountain Brook on Aug. 25. According to AHSAA.com, Gulf Shores then plays another road game at B.C. Rain before the first home game on Sept. 22 with LeFlore.

Satsuma (Class 4A) went 6-5 a year ago and made the playoffs for the first time since 2006. The Gators open at Cottage Hill Christian Aug. 25.