Southampton - Ryan McCready, who was arrested in March on charges of driving while under the influence of drugs, possession of heroin and of a hypodermic needle, resigned last week from his physical education position at Southampton Elementary School and also vacated his post as the high school's varsity wrestling coach. The process to find his replacement is underway with interviews set to begin this week within the district.

"Unfortunately this is the way it unfolded," McCready said when reached by phone Sunday. "I'm happy for the experience of teaching there. It was a great one and I hope they find someone great to fill the position."

The Southampton wrestling team begins its season on Nov. 18 with the first day of practice; the Mariners are slated to visit Smithtown Christian in their first dual meet Dec. 14.

As for his personal health, McCready said, "I'm doing well. I'm feeling much better."

Southampton Athletic Director Darren Phillips was instructed by school officials to post an opening for McCready's job but as a long-term substitute. However, his resignation means a full-time teacher will be hired prior to the 2009-10 school year, which begins Sept. 9. The wrestling season starts along with other winter sports on Nov. 18. The application process closed on July 31 and Phillips reports he received resumes from approximately 200 candidates. He'll work with Elementary School Principal Bertha "Cookie" Richard to cut the list to 15 applicants and begin interviewing by the end of this week. As for the wrestling position, Sean Zay, who has been McCready's assistant, has stated he is not likely to take the head coaching job, this according to Phillips.

McCready was arrested on March 17 on Sunrise Highway just west of Old Riverhead Road. Police found less than half a gram of heroin and a hypodermic needle in his possession. McCready was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, and posession of a hypodermic instrument. All the charges are misdemeanors.

The school district was first notified of the arrest on March 24 only after an "off-the-record comment from a concerned community person who would have the knowledge," bought the arrest to light. Upon meeting with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Richard J. Boyes, McCready acknowledged two previous legal issues from another arrest in September 2008. He was then placed on administrative and then medical leave to undergo rehabilitation. McCready's original arraignment on April 20 at Southampton Town Justice Court was postponed, as have been the last three scheduled dates.

Legal issues aside, Phillips called McCready "phenomenal" as both a coach and instructor, and said many within the district sent care packages and letters to McCready during his rehab stint.

Ryan McCready guided two wrestlers from the Southampton wrestling team to the Division II State Tournament in Albany this past winter.

"He had a bright future with us," Phillips said. "Everyone was just enamored with him. He had a great rapport with the kids. You could tell he was passionate about what he did and every day he'd tell me about how much he enjoyed working in Southampton. He's going to be hard to replace."

McCready was hired at the elementary school as a teacher and coach upon completing his degree from Springfield College, where he briefly wrestled before shoulder and feet complications caused him to hang up his singlet. In Southampton, he coached the Mariners for three seasons and took them to new heights; Julius Anglickas became the first All-State wrestler in school history in 2008 and accomplished the feat again this past winter. Eighth grader Nick Alessandrini became the second Mariner ever to reach the state championships.

Anglickas' father, Anthony Maglione, stands in McCready's corner despite his personal struggles. "I think it was a sad episode, but I think when things like this happen, people grow from it," he said. "Hopefully Ryan will conquer his issues and move forward. I still think very highly of him. I'm just sorry to see that it turned out the way that it did. I'm sure if he stays on top of the problem, he'll do fine in life. … Wrestlers have an inner strength and hopefully he can pull from that inner strength."

McCready, who declined disclosing what his itinerary is for the future or whether he would pursue a career in education, expressed his gratitude for his short tenure at Southampton Elementary. "It's a great place, a great district, a great school," McCready said. "I have nothing but positive things to say about the school and everybody that works there. Things will work out for me."

In Southampton, he coached the Mariners for three seasons and took them to new heights.