Great Valley close to naming football coach

Great Valley is expected to name its new football coach within the next few days, according to athletic director Russ Wren.

Although he did not reveal who the choice to succeed Gary Phillips is, Wren said the school board would have to approve the appointment before it was announced. He did not know when that would be, he said.

The appointee will come from a list of three finalists who were among more than 30 candidates who applied for the job, Wren said.

Phillips, whose annual contract was not renewed after his 17th season with the Patriots, was among the candidates. Phillips' team finished 3-8 this past season as a Class AAAA squad. In 2008, Great Valley finished 8-4 and lost in overtime to Owen J. Roberts in the District 1 Class AAA playoffs.