“Northwestern is a good community,” Stevens said. “We have good kids. I was obviously disappointed we didn’t win more, but we tried to put together the best possible program we could.”
He said he told his players a strong football program must have a lot of different parts moving in the same direction.
“I never felt like all the parts were moving in the same direction,” Stevens said. “My hope is that the next coach can get all those parts moving in the right direction.”
Stevens didn’t rule out coaching next season, but said he plans to spend more time with his wife and two young children while making his decision. He said he left the program on good terms.
“There’s no animosity between me and the district,” Stevens said. “I appreciate all their support, especially from the athletic director, Jeff Hobby. I wish we could’ve had a few more wins, but sometimes things just don’t work out the way you want them to.”
Hobby said he understands why Stevens decided to move on from the program.
“He thought it was best for him and the program if we looked for someone else,” Hobby said.
The job has been posted outside the district, according to Hobby.
“We’re getting applications in as we speak and we’re trying to see what openings we’re going to have so we can match it up (with a teaching position),” Hobby said.
The Warriors have had just one winning season since the 1980s, going 6-4 in 2006. They haven’t won a league title since 1967, and have never appeared in the state playoffs.
Warriors wrestling coach Harry Husted is overseeing the weight room for the football program while the district conducts the search for the next football coach.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0365, Michael.Cooper@coxinc.com or on Twitter @SNS_Wizard.
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