Northview High Football Coach Keene Resigns

July 14, 2009

keene1.jpgNorthview High School Head Football Coach Cody Keene has resigned, leaving the school to head to Hooper Academy in Montgomery.

Keene announced his decision to his football team at a Monday morning practice and then met with the team’s seniors to stress the importance of good leadership to them. After that meeting, he sat down exclusively with NorthEscambia.com to talk about his decision.

“I was presented with another challenge that will allow us to be closer to my wife’s family, and closer to my kids,” Keene said, adding that his wife’s family is from Montgomery. “It is an opportunity that we have been praying about for months.”

Keene will be the fifth head coach at Hooper Academy in the past six years. But that does not bother him; he was the seventh coach in nine years at Northview.

He said he is proud of where the Chiefs have gone in his five seasons as head coach. Three of those six years were winning seasons, including back-to-back winning seasons from 2005 to 2007. One undefeated regular season. Two district championships. Three trips to the playoffs. Three Northview players gone on to college careers. Keene is proud of the numbers. But he’s prouder of the kids.

keen2.jpg“I’m proud of these guys, and I am proud of where this program is,” he said.

There’s a bond between a coach and his players, one that Keene takes very seriously.

“It was hard on me; it was hard on them,” he said about his announcement to the players Monday morning. “But the kids are great kids. They will be fine.”

He is looking to the seniors to provide leadership for the rest of the team.

“There are some good leaders in that group, and they will lead the team through the transition,” he said, adding that he has faith that the remaining coaching staff will be able to lead the team until his replacement is announced. “One of them (the coaches) will step up to the challenge until a decision is made. They are good coaching team.”

keen3.jpgKeene said this year will be an exciting one for the Chiefs. In a new district, Northview will face teams like Jay, Freeport, Sneeds and Bonifay. “All teams, except Jay because we didn’t play them, that we beat that 9-0 year,” he added with a smile.

“They are kids more like us — rural, small schools,” he said. “There will be real competition again for us in the district. Northview will have the opportunity to compete, the opportunity to win.”

Keene is confident that Northview will have a good season with the new district and talented assistant coaches.

“They are going to be fine,” he said. “I appreciate the support we have had from the fans, and I ask that they continue to support us.

keen4.jpgWhile Keene said everything about Northview and his departure was positive, there was one major negative he wanted NorthEscambia.com to point out. You can read about it in another story by clicking here.

Northview Principal Gayle Weaver said Keene will be missed.

“He has been one of the best things that’s ever happened to Northview High School,” she said. “He has been the players’ friend, academic adviser and mentor.”

“He instilled a work ethic in the players on and off the field,” Weaver said. “He built a wonderful football program at Northview High School. He will be missed.”

Monday was Keene’s last day physically at Northview. He will be taking accumulated leave days until his official resignation date of August 14.

NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

4 Responses to “Northview High Football Coach Keene Resigns”

  1. A. Macks on July 14th, 2009 8:01 pm

    Coach I also thank you for bringing stability to NHS and instilling Chief pride in all the hearts of the community. I say it was an honor to be part of the hiring committe in ‘04 when you took the position and also it was also an honor having played for you the last season of my football career. I just wish my little incoming freshman brother (Skyler Macks) could have played for you at least one season. But as you always told us “Leave it all on the Field.” You will be GREATLY MISSED and I hope we will all see you one day soon taking Hooper Acadamy to win state. I will say on behalf of your only 3 starting Seniors in ‘04 that even though we didnt win one game, it was a pleasure to have picked you out of all the other coaches who applied for the job and to watch you turn the program around a whole 180 degrees.

    Best of Luck ,
    Your inaugural Senior Captain and Left Guard, Austin Macks #65

  2. john sellars #78 on July 14th, 2009 7:12 pm

    coach keene i thank you for everything you have done for this team and for me as well. i have grown up watching you form this program into what it is today. you have taught me so much. not just about football but about being all you can be. not to quiting or lay down on my dreams and hopes. these past three years you have formed this community, school, program, and this team into a true family. i hope and wish you the best of luck in your new position. i love you coach for coming to this school and into my life.

    class of 2010 seniors
    john sellars#78

  3. players on July 14th, 2009 11:04 am

    coach we love you and will miss you, you was there for us on and off the field, you made sure that we stayed out of trouble and that our grades was good. you made sure that we looked liked men and acted like men, you made us grow up coach we love you and will miss you.

    seniors,
    2010

  4. Molino Mom on July 14th, 2009 9:55 am

    Thank you, sir, for your great service to Northview. You helped turn many a young boy into a young man. It’s not always about winning the game, but how you play. You sir played the game with honor and dignity. Every Chief that played under Cody Keene is, and always will be, a winner. The scoreboard was secondary. Best of luck, Coach Keene, and God Bless You and your family!

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