"Today I share with great sadness that I have not been rehired as the head football coach of the Helias Catholic Crusaders," Rulo said in a statement. "While we part on amicable terms, I have been informed that the administration would like to take the program in another direction. I would like to express my sincere thanks to those who have supported and cared for myself and my family during our three years here."

While Rulo's statement was fairly lengthy, the release from Helias President Father Stephen Jones was a succinct, 67-word statement.

After saying Rulo was "released" from his responsibilities as head football coach, Jones said: "We are thankful for all Coach Rulo has done for Helias."

The search for his replacement begins Monday.

Rulo came to Helias with a good pedigree after lifting South Callaway to regular contender on the Class 2 state stage in seven years with the Bulldogs. He posted a record of 66-19 and won four district championships, and led South Callaway to the state title game in his final season, 2014.

But he failed to reach that level of success with the Crusaders, as he finished with a record 17-18 --- just one fewer loss in four fewer seasons than he'd had with the Bulldogs.

Of his 17 wins, only three came against teams that finished their seasons with winning records. And of the 18 losses, only six were decided by single digits.

Helias went 6-6 this season, losing in the district championship game to Moberly. The Crusaders also lost in the last year's district title game to Hannibal, after the Pirates had ended the Crusaders' season in the district semifinals in 2015.

In his statement, Rulo said he was "sad beyond measure" that he will not be retained to lead the team into the future, especially with next year's senior class. He will, however, stay on as the school's head track coach and a teacher through the end of the school year.

A deeply religious man, Rulo, 37, was glowing with enthusiasm after being named only the sixth head in the history of the program in March, 2015. While this was certainly a deeply disappointing day for him, however, it couldn't have been surprising.

Speculation had been running rampant for weeks that Rulo was on the hotseat and this could be his final season, barring an improbable deep playoff run by the Crusaders. This season featured a pair of unpleasant home losses --- a 41-28 setback to Hannibal when the Pirates scored the game's final 27 points to spoil the debut of Ray Hentges Stadium; and a 58-30 homecoming loss to Rock Bridge in a game the Bruins led 58-7 after three quarters.

Along with the on-the-field struggles, Rulo had made some off-the-field decisions that didn't sit well many of the Helias faithful.

Both Helias and Rulo will move on from here and both will be fine. This day, however, is a tough, dark day for all involved.