By CHLOE HARGRAVE – Editor-in-Chief
Never has a room of at least 50 football players gone silent so fast.
CCHS head football coach Leroy Ryals officially accepted the position of head football coach and Athletic Director at Thomasville High School in Thomasville, Ga. on Feb. 11. Ryals held a team meeting at CCHS on Feb. 12 to announce his resignation to players and coaches. Photo by Porter McLeod.
As Clarke Central High School head football coach Leroy Ryals entered the room, mouths of every player and coach shut and heads fell down.
Days of rumors came to an end, as it became official on Feb. 11 – Ryals would be leaving CCHS to pursue the head coaching position at Thomasville High School in Thomasville, Ga.
On Feb. 7, an email was sent from CCHS parent Holly Ward and circulated by Andy Thomas, parent of 2011 CCHS graduate Trey Thomas, to the Touchdown Club, the CCHS football team’s booster club, notifying all members that an offer from THS was made to Ryals, but he had not yet accepted it.
To counter the THS offer, Ryals’ supporters reached out to the CCHS community through this email asking for a sign of strong support from the Clarke County School District, which included the following requests:
“1. Show something to offer him that they are committed to athletics.
2. Put him on an 11 month contract, he is currently on 10 month contract. (OUR band director is already on 11 month contract!)
3. Give back the 5% cut to coaches supplements that was taken away from the schools. This was cut and affects all coaches. This would be a gesture that shows we appreciate what coaches are doing for our student athletes.
4. Prioritize when needing to hire coaches, this is not always a priority. As a result, it is very difficult and frustrating process.
5. Get the field in better condition. Get the field house started! The $ is there from SPLOST, but they have been slow in acting. No more waiting!!”
Additionally, the email contained improvements Ryals had made to the eligibility status of CCHS players during his tenure, graduation rate of players completing four years of CCHS football and the team’s GPA. It was also suggested that concerned parties contact the CCSD Board of Education, Superintendent Dr. Philip Lanoue and CCHS Principal Dr. Robbie P. Hooker to advocate for Ryals and to prevent his leaving.
In spite of efforts to keep him, four days later, Ryals made his decision.
On Feb. 12 during fourth block, football players were paged to the team meeting room, formerly the Auxiliary Weight Room, in the Old Gym. Players in attendance were notified of his resignation.
“It is just my time to go,” Ryals said.
Through the rest of his speech, the amount of respect he has for each and every player was clear. Ryals, known for his intense disciplinary style and customary sideline flair, showed a side of himself seldom seen or talked about – he was coming from a place of complete compassion.
On this day, Ryals was giving his resignation as a coach and a teacher, but most importantly as a mentor.
[pullquote]On this day, Ryals was giving his resignation as a coach and a teacher, but most importantly as a mentor. [/pullquote]
Each player, with their heads hung low, knew what this announcement meant. The figure that built them up and guided them in the right direction for years will be gone.
Yes, all things end at some point.
Face it, a winning coach like Ryals, who compiled a 60-22-1 record in his seven years at CCHS, was going to leave at some point. But the stunned silence from players during those 20 minutes spoke for itself – they didn’t want or expect it to happen now.
For the players, the football program is often the most impactful activity throughout their high school career, and for those returning it’s all going to change this coming season – new head coach, new rules, new plays and new expectations.
Filtering out of the meeting, players employed the same old cliche, “Things are going to be just as good.”
But the reality is, this program will not be the same and every player knows it. As a team, they might possess the same skill set. They might work just as hard. They might take us all the way back to the Dome.
But as a program, the lessons learned and memories made under Ryals will end with his departure.
Not to say this change is for the worse. The coaches left behind are of full capability to keep up the school’s winning football reputation. Undoubtedly, CCHS Athletic Director Dr. Jon Ward will commence a job search for the heir apparent to Ryals. If Ward found a winner once, he’ll do it again.
As the players exited the meeting, still silent, Ryals waited until he had the chance to shake every player’s hand, leaving them with final words of wisdom from a mentor, who clearly loved the opportunity to work with them. Ryals has left a positive mark on this school and it will stay there for years to come.
