Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Hidden Valley's Edwards resigns post
After five seasons and one trip to the state semis, the Titans' coach says he wants to spend more time with his family.
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J.R. Edwards, who took Hidden Valley to the brink of 2006 VHSL Group AA Division 3 football championship game in the program's fourth year of existence, resigned Tuesday as the Titans' head coach.
Edwards cited family reasons for stepping down from the post he had held for the last five years.
"It's something I've had to deal with," Edwards said. "It's nothing to do with the job, the school, the parents or the players. They've been fantastic.
"It's a personal decision. I've got three kids between the ages of 8 and 14. It's time I became more committed to my family."
Edwards informed Hidden Valley players of his decision Tuesday afternoon. The Titans finished 4-6 in 2008, leaving Edwards with a five-year record of 31-23.
"It was very hard," he said. "Facing these kids was the difficult part."
Edwards said the results of the 2008 season -- which included several near-upsets of teams such as Pulaski County, Salem and Bassett -- did not influence his move.
"Not in the least way," he said. "We had a fighting, tough bunch of kids. If it did anything, it made the decision harder. It was a tough decision."
Edwards said he did not begin thinking about stepping down until the season ended four weeks ago.
"I wanted to give my full attention to the team while the season was going on the same way I ask of my players," he said.
Edwards said his health is fine and is not ruling out a return to coaching in the future.
"I would say I could possibly surface one day," he said. "I don't know."
Edwards, who played at William Byrd from 1984-86 and was an assistant for the Terriers under Jeff Highfill before taking the Hidden Valley job, led the Titans to their greatest season in 2006 when they finished 9-4 and reached the state semifinal before losing 44-14 to Richlands at Bogle Stadium.
"That was the highlight as far as the record, but I would say the real highlight was dealing with these young men on a day-to-day basis," Edwards said.
