Pirates' football coach resigns

BRADEN RIVER — Two years ago, Braden River High Athletic Director Bob Bowling whittled down nearly 100 applications for his open football coach position until he finally found the right man for the job.

Don Purvis was named the Pirates new head coach prior to the 2010 spring season, and in doing so, Bowling thought he had hired a coach who would steer the Pirates into the future.

But on April 5, two years to the day that he first walked onto the Braden River campus, Purvis met with Principal Jim Pauley and announced his resignation amid personal reasons. Purvis also resigned from his teaching position.

“This was something we felt like was just the best decision for me and my family right now with some of the things that are going on; and we just felt like this was the best thing for us and also for the school and the program,” said Purvis, who spent the past two months wrestling with the decision after his father died.

“I was quite surprised,” Bowling said. “I had no idea this was coming.”

During his time at Braden River, Purvis, who replaced former coach Ed Volz, who left Braden River after a year for the head coaching position at Sarasota High, led the Pirates to a 7-14 record and advanced to the playoffs in his first year after finishing as the district runner-up.

“I’m going to miss the kids,” Purvis said. “I’ve got the utmost respect for them and the school.”

In the days following Purvis’ resignation, Bowling and Pauley met to discuss the coaching vacancy and the team’s future.

With spring practice around the corner, Bowling appointed offensive line coach Greg Williford as the interim head coach for the spring season.

“We felt the time was too short to hire before spring ball,” said Bowling, who already had received 15 applications before 9 a.m. April 10.

Having spent the past 15 years coaching high school football, Williford said he is willing to do whatever it takes to help the team — even if it means not having his best friend standing alongside him on the sidelines.

“I had mixed emotions at first,” Williford said of hearing the news. “My first reaction was a selfish reaction. I was sad, because I knew my best friend, whom I spent a lot of time with everyday, was leaving. While I was sad at losing the time we normally spent together coaching, I understand, respect and support his decision to do what’s best for him and his family.”

Following his appointment to interim head coach, Williford met with the players to tell them about Purvis’ decision and help prepare them for the upcoming spring season.

“The players are saddened at Don’s departure but are excited about the upcoming Pirate season and are focusing on doing their best to represent their school,” Williford said.

The news came as a surprise to the team, but the players are adjusting to the uncertainties that lie ahead.

“I will miss everything about coach Purvis, but the thing I will miss the most is the relationship that I had with him,” junior lineman Trevon Young said. “I could go to him and talk to him about anything at any time. I know he did it because he had to with all of the stuff going on in his life. He did what was best for him and his family.

“It’s (hard) guessing and wondering who’s going to be the next coach, but I think we can’t worry about that,” Young said. “All we should worry about is coming together as a team and working hard in practice.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].