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Magnolia Football Coach Josh Sims Resigns

SIMS

NEW MARTINSVILLE — The ring is the thing in football regardless of the level. But for Josh Sims, the pull of a family bond ultimately trumped the chase for another title.

Sims, a Magnolia graduate and the architect of the 2015-16 West Virginia Class A football team, has resigned as the school’s coach. A lifetime Blue Eagle, he said the decision was not made lightly.

”I appreciate everything that Magnolia has done for me,” Sims said Thursday. ”In the age of Facebook (the players) knew before I had a chance to talk to them, and I really wish it didn’t happen that way. It was not easy.

”That was the hardest thing I had to do, is telling those boys.

”But I have no doubt Magnolia football will continue to be good and they will have another great season.”

Sims has accepted a teaching position in Special Education at University High School in Morgantown. In doing so, he said, it affords the opportunity of being closer to family.

”That’s the main thing, is I have some job opportunities closer to my family,” he said. ”I will always bleed the blue and gold, but I think I accomplished what I was hired to do.

”Coach (Mark) Batton, Moke Riggs, Doc Chapman. I will miss those guys and take what I have learned from them for the rest of my life.”

Sims took over for Batton two seasons ago as the Blue Eagles head coach. That team went 4-6 against a brutal schedule and was a play or two away from still making the playoffs.

With nearly everyone back from that squad, Magnolia set out on a seek-and-destroy mission last season, carving a swath of destruction along the way. Rarely were the Blue Eagles challenged during that magical 14-0 campaign, including a Super-Six record 62-0 shellacking of East Hardy for the school’s third crown — it’s first in Class A.

”Last year was one heckuva ride,” Sims said. ”Looking back, it is something I will always cherish.

”I’ll just kind of miss the memories. I played here and started my coaching career here.”

Sims said he doesn’t know what the future holds in terms of coaching. Really, that is secondary behind the draw of increased interaction with family.

”If opportunities arise, I may throw my hat in the ring,” Sims said. ”You never know where the chips are going to fall. My focus was getting back closer to my family.

”The education aspect to me is the most important, because when the dust settles your mind is going to be what makes the money.

”I want to thank everyone, but especially Coach Batton and (principal) Kathi Schmalz for taking a chance on me.”

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