Marksville Head Football Coach J.T. Dunbar has decided to step down as a coach from Marksville High School after coaching 20 years. The last 11 years has been as head coach at the school.

Dunbar has decided to take a one-year sabbatical at the conclusion of the current school year. He has applied for the leave which is awaiting approval of the Avoyelles Parish School Board.

In his 11 seasons at the helm, Dunbar led the Tigers to a 76-45 record and claimed five district championships, including winning back-to-back titles twice. It was the best record of any head coach at the season for the 11-year period.

The 2011 season may have been Dunbar’s best year. The Tigers entered the playoffs as the No. 16 seed after winning the district championship to the state semi-finals.

From 1992 to 2001, Dunbar served as head baseball coach for the Tigers, winning two district titles in seven seasons.

Even though he is taking a year off, Dunbar would not rule a return to coaching the Tigers, but he does not want to do so if it damages the program he has been with for so long.

“I don’t want to hold the program hostage but we will see what 2013 brings,” Dunbar said.

The school is looking at its options before hiring a new coach.