Gregory recently took a job as ISD Coordinator and Athletic Director at Graves County Middle School, and said the time was right to step down.
"After a lot of thought and prayer I feel that stepping down as the head football coach is the right decision for my family and this football program," Gregory said.
Gregory came to Graves County in 2009, after serving as John Hardin's defensive coordinator for five seasons. During his stint at Graves, the Eagles won three district championships (2012-2014) and one regional championship (2014). The Eagles also made an appearance in the 2014 Class 5A state championship game, where they lost to Pulaski County 14-7.
Gregory went 69-49 at GCHS, with a 31-11 record against district opponents and an 8-10 playoff record. Gregory was one win away from tying Jay Buckley for most wins in school history. Buckley went 70-62 over 12 seasons.
The Eagles finished 5-6 this season,
losing to Grayson County in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.
Gregory released the following statement:
There comes a time in every program
where there is a need for change. For this program, that I love so
much, that time is now. One of the proudest days of my
professional life was being named head football coach here at Graves
County. Today is difficult. But after a lot of thought and
prayer I feel that stepping down as the head football coach is the
right decision for my family and this football program.
I want to thank Pete Galloway and RB Mays for giving a young coach an opportunity and the current administration for their support. I would also like to thank our Athletic Director, Khristain Elliott, for his support of me and the program.
We are thankful for the hard work and dedication of the parents, alumni, Gridiron Club, and the Twelfth Man Legacy. We could not have had the success we have had over the past ten years without them. I would like to thank my wife and kids for their sacrifice and support while I was able to do a job I loved.
The opportunity to coach so many great young men has truly been a blessing. Our goal from the beginning was to create a program to help develop our players into young men of character with the intention of them being better players but more importantly men because they were a part of our program.The hardest part of this decision is leaving the players we have in our locker room.
One of the best things about coaching high school football are the relationships you build with your assistant coaches. The guys we have had and currently have on staff are talented coaches but even better men. Their hard work and dedication has been the key to our success over the last decade.
Together we have won district and region titles and played for a state championship. It is time for someone to come in with new ideas and energy and build on what Coach Buckley, Coach Hatchell, Coach Rogers and myself have started. There is no doubt the best days of Eagle football are yet to come!
