Citing a desire to spend more time with his family, Scott Edwards resigned as head coach of Central Valley High School’s varsity football team following its season-ending 49-17 win at El Capitan on Oct. 25.
“It was an extremely difficult decision,” he said. “For many reasons, it was time to step away from the game and see what life will be like without it. My son (Logan) is going to start high school next year. My daughter (Brenna) is one year away. I want to be involved in my children’s extra-curricular activities. I’m a pretty good dad and husband when I’m home. I give them all my attention.”
Edwards, 47, will be remembered as Central Valley’s most winning coach.
“I left the program in better shape than what I found it in,” he said. “I’m proud of the work I’ve done, along with my coaches and players. You always want better results. But you coach at the high-school level to shape young men.”
The Hawks amassed a 32-30 overall record, claimed one conference title and participated in the playoffs twice during Edwards’ six-year tenure.
Central Valley also won five of six games versus crosstown-rival Ceres High.
“It was awesome on a Friday night to see alumni I’ve coached come back to watch a game,” Edwards said. “They do that because of the relationships that were formed.”
Football has been a part of Edwards’ life for the last 35 years.
His coaching career spanned 25 years.
He’s missed just five practices during that time.
“This decision impacts a lot of people,” Edwards said. “My wife’s and kids’ lives have been shaped around football. I’ve never had a summer off. I started when I was young as a player and eventually became a coach. I’ve never done anything else.”
Edwards and his wife Angie have been married for 22 years.
They’ve been together for 28 years.
“When we started dating, I was playing college football,” Edwards said. “She stuck with me. When I got late nights, she has late nights. She’s helped me keep things in perspective.”
Central Valley Athletic Director Greg Magni, former Hawk standouts Estevan Barragan and David Serrano, and current CV player Isaiah Hidalgo showered Edwards with praise for his obsessive devotion.
“I have nothing but amazing things to say about him,” Magni stated. “He’s one of the best coaches in the entire section and state. We’re fortunate we had him for six seasons. He did a phenomenal job. He committed 100 percent. He didn’t take any shortcuts. He’s all about molding these players and getting them ready for the real world. He’s a great mentor.”
Barragan (Fresno State) and Serrano (Modesto Junior College) played football together for three seasons (2015-17) under Edwards’ guidance.
The Hawks enjoyed their best campaign to date in 2016 by posting a program-best 9-2 overall record, claiming their first-ever league title (5-0) and participating in the playoffs for the second year in a row.
“He’s one of the best coaches I’ve had,” Barragan said. “He knew how to motivate our teams. He had the best speeches. He taught us how to be young men. We got lucky having Coach Edwards for the time we had him. He meant a lot to the program. It was a joy to play for him. I looked up to him. He was a role model. If you needed help, you could always ask him for advice.”
“He’s a phenomenal coach and one of the best human beings I’ve met in my life,” Serrano said “He always pushed us to our limits. His No. 1 rule was to be on time to practice and never miss practice. He turned the program around. He left a legacy.”
“I enjoyed playing for him,” said Hidalgo, Central Valley’s starting running back the past two seasons. “He put in a full 100 percent every day. That shows how much he really cared. He’s definitely going to be missed. I want him to be my coach my senior year. But I can’t be mad. He’s going to be able to spend more time with his family.”
Edwards will continue to coach the boys golf team and teach five periods of weight training at Central Valley.
“I didn’t step away to pursue anything else,” Edwards said. “But I’m not retiring. I just don’t see myself ever being a head coach again.”