Vikings coach of 22 years Dan Nault will be replaced in the coming season, though he said he is not entirely sure why.

“When a coach is someplace for a long period of time they have supporters and detractors,” Nault said in an email. “I think in this case the detractors must have won out.”

Nault also speculated it could be because of the “rough” three seasons the football team has had. He said in an earlier interview he will stay on as special education teacher, but will probably no longer run the weight strength and conditioning program at the school.

“Traditionally, the weight conditioning program has always been run by the football coach,” Nault said.

Saying, “we don’t really like to talk about personnel issues,” Wareham High School Principal Scott Palladino declined to comment on the exact reasoning behind replacing Nault. He did say, however, that Nault did nothing wrong.

“This is a year-to-year appointment, and, I think, unfortunately, the football program has fallen onto some tough times,” Palladino said.

Palladino recalled his time coaching with Nault, and said he was “lucky enough to coach with him for 10 years.”

“He is one of the most committed coaches in the building,” Palladino said. “He is always going to different coaching seminars throughout the area to better himself.”

Nault said he has not kept track of his awards and accolades throughout the years, but Palladino readily listed off several of Nault’s accomplishments, including leading teams to win the school equivalent of a Superbowl for three years. He said Nault has also won several South Coast Conference titles.

“He has been a big part of moving the program forward. He has had a pretty stellar career,” Palladino said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets back into coaching soon.”

Nault said this is his plan, because he has been coaching football, since he stopped playing after college. Though he isn’t sure whom he will coach yet, Nault said he hopes the kids will do well under the new coach.

“I hope will always love Wareham kids because they are special,” Nault said.

Palladino said they do not yet have a replacement coach, but that they are looking for someone with varsity experience, and “someone with a proven track record.”