By By Matthew Nascone
The Escambia County Lady Blue Devils finished a historic season in the South Regional final in 2006-07 with first-year head coach Todd Reynolds at the helm. Well, the Lady Devils will be in search of a new leader when the 2007-08 season opens in November.
Reynolds announced his resignation following the end of school last week.
He said the decision was family-oriented.
"I am a victim of time and cost," Reynolds said. "I live in Greenville and I traveled to Atmore every day. My primary goal is to get closer to home."
Reynolds' departure marks the third ECHS coach to leave the school this year. Head basketball coach Jerome Antone, who led the Blue Devils to a share of the area title and the area tournament championship in 2005-06, and head baseball coach and quarterbacks and running backs coach Keith Nall, who has been at ECHS for the past 12 years, both resigned from ECHS earlier this year.
Reynolds said he is looking at a few schools in the Butler County area. If he were to be hired by a school in Butler County he would be a lot closer to his home.
"I travel one hour and fifteen minutes to work every day and I could cut that down to as little as 15 minutes," he said. "And with the rising price of gas, it just seems to be the logical choice."
He wanted to make sure no one thought he was trying to get out of Atmore, but who could say that when he led the Lady Blue Devils to a 27-7 record last year – the most wins in school history.
"I have nothing but good things to say about Escambia County High School," Reynolds said. "I am going to miss the opportunity to go back to the state playoffs and win it all with that group of girls. I wish them the greatest of success in the future. And I appreciate all the support from the community."
ECHS athletic director Kyle Davis said it is going to hurt to not have Reynolds back next year.
"Obviously when you lose a guy who carries a team to the Elite 8 it is going to be bad," Davis said. "He was a successful coach and we hate to lose him."
And the Lady Blue Devils volleyball team will also be without a coach next year, as Reynolds coached them as well.