Coach Bush resigns

Brent Bush

By TONY STINNETT

Cannon County will have its third football coach in three years for the 2013 season.

Brent Bush resigned last week following his first season as head coach. The Lions were 0-10 and ended the season with a 20-game losing streak.

Bush, a CCHS graduate, said frustration led to his decision.

“I became frustrated over the amount of classroom teaching duties, the care and maintenance of the field, the field house and basic work load that essentially needed to be done by me or a host of volunteers,” Bush said.

Because offensive coordinator T.J. Daniel is the only faculty assistant, Bush said he had requested a reduction in classroom duties in order to focus more on aspects of running the football program.

“I wanted more time to focus on my duties during our winter workout program,” Bush said. “Fall football begins in January. Winter workouts are key and spring football is essential. I did not see any of that coming and I just got frustrated.”

Athletics Director Michael Dodgen has neither announced a time table for naming Bush’s replacement, nor has he said whether there would be a search. Daniel is a longtime assistant and could be in line for the position.

“We have not made a decision but we will look at the situation and do what is in the best interest of our players and program moving forward,” Dodgen said.

The Lions suffered through an injury-riddled season in which several key players were sidelines for multiple games. The Lions also had to overcome losing returning starting quarterback Ryan Jordan to transfer.

Bush said Cannon County football has to have a new approach.

“We need a total new way of thinking,” Bush said. “Today, there is simply too much money involved in terms of scholarships and opportunities that sports can give. There are so many avenues that sports give and we are just not setting the conditions for our kids to be competitive. I hate half measures.”

Bush said his one season as head coach helped him gain newfound respect for his coaches.

“It made me respect all my coaches even more,” Bush said. “I really enjoyed playing for Coach Mike Mayfield, Glenn Rhodes and Bobby Parker. I really know what they sacrificed to make me better.”