Minor resigns as Princeton's head football coach

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 28, 2015 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

PRINCETON -- The second-best successful three-year campaign in Princeton High football history officially came to a surprising halt Tuesday afternoon.

Derrick Minor won't return next fall as varsity head coach.

Although his intentions were to resuscitate a dormant program and rebuild support in a football-starved community over an extended period of time, Minor couldn't say "no" when the door opened at Rockingham County.

The board of education voted and approved the recommendation, and Minor accepted the head coaching job Monday evening. The school is 30 minutes away from Minor's family and he described it as a "once-in-a-lifetime chance.

"We've been praying about it, talking to a lot of people and the doors just seemed to open up for us," said Minor, who delivered the stunning news to his football team just hours before it spread like wildfire on social media.

"When the Lord tells you that you've got to move and He opens up doors for you, you've got to take advantage of it. We're trying to be obedient with His plan and that's what I just tried to share with the guys."

Princeton athletics director Marty Gurganus said a search would begin immediately for Minor's successor. He assured the returning football players that a coach would be selected to continue building the model program that Minor constructed.

Minor hopes the administration will make a new hire within the next 30--60 days.

Before his arrival, Princeton had experienced just one winning season since 1986. The 2009 edition of the Bulldogs, led by record-setting quarterback Duane Gurganus, compiled 10 wins and advanced to the semifinals of the playoffs.

The next two teams combined for six wins.

The jury remained "out" about Minor's hiring until Princeton put together a magical playoff run in 2012. After a double-overtime loss to archrival Rosewood, the Bulldogs reeled off three consecutive wins and reached the eastern 1-A regional final for the first time three-plus decades.

That success became the springboard for 2013.

"It just showed that when you rely on your faith and trust, and continue to do the right things, run things the right way, you're going to see the results of it," Minor said. "I think the players were able to see that, too. If you're committed to something and you've given it everything you've got, good things are going to happen when you do the right thing both on and off the field."

With a Division I recruit in the backfield and a stable of confident players, Minor's vision became reality in 2013. The Bulldogs went 9-4 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. Last fall, Princeton set single-season records for victories (12), total points scored (652), margin of victory (27.86 points/game) and most points in a playoff game (70) -- just to name a few.

The Bulldogs emerged as the Carolina 1-A Conference runners-up in 2013 and 2014. Their three playoff appearances resulted in losses to the eventual state champion -- Plymouth in 2012, James Kenan in 2013 and Wallace-Rose Hill in 2014.

Minor fashioned a 6--3 postseason record.

"A lot of times you've got people in life who doubt you and they always tell you the things that you can't accomplish," said Minor, who credited a core of community supporters along with the PHS administration who stood by his side the entire time.

"When you truly put the Lord first, like Philippians 4:13 says 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,' the kids could see that you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to do and don't let people tell you that you can't do it.

"(The playoffs) just shows the fruit of the labor that you put into something."

Minor's short-lived legacy at the tiny rural school won't be the wins or losses, but the players he and his staff have coached during his tenure. His hope is to see each one become a model citizen, a great husband and an awesome father.

The next PHS coach will inherit talented and hard-working players who are committed to the weight room and eager to learn from a coach who understands that football isn't just a four-month season. A total of 27 letter-winners are expected to return next fall.

Minor leaves in February for his new job. He replaces Lin Stadler, who logged a 47-102 worksheet in 13 seasons at Rockingham County. The Cougars experienced back-to-back winning seasons in 2011 and 2012, but combined to win just three games in 2013 and 2014.

It's a challenge Minor readily accepts.

And he plans to follow the same philosophy that turned him into a 26-game winner while at Princeton.

"I'm very happy that I was able to bring a passion for football back (to Princeton), bring excitement for the kids who wanted to play football and have pride (in the program) because that's what I think about back to (the) Harvey Brooks (era)," Minor said. "Whoever walks in next (at Princeton) is going to have basically everything ready for them to continue success. The kids are ready and conditioned to this is what you need to do to be successful.

"I think they've developed the mindset that we've got to put the work in if we want to see success. The kids have bought into that."

Now it's Rockingham County's turn.