It looks likely that South Whidbey High School football coach Mark Hodson will return next year.

Hodson has accepted a teaching position at both Bayview School and the high school.

Hodson’s future with the Falcons is not set in stone yet, however.

District Superintendent Fred McCarthy was optimistic on Friday.

“My expectation is Mark will have a full-time position,” McCarthy said.

He explained that a lot depends on the district’s ability to fill the teacher/director job at Bayview School.

Hodson, the Cascade Conference’s “Coach of the Year” in 2007, was told last month his teaching contract would not be renewed after the school year ended.

Due to declining enrollment, eight teachers from the primary, middle, intermediate and high schools were notified their contracts might not be renewed.

Most of the teachers have been recalled, but Hodson’s situation — he has only eight year’s seniority — was still unclear.

“There are still a number of pieces that need to be put in place and I’m fully aware of the community’s interest,” McCarthy said. “We’re doing everything we can.”