PREP FOOTBALL: James steps down at Goldsboro High

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on July 27, 2018 5:51 AM

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By RUDY COGGINS

News-Argus Sports Editor

In just three days, Goldsboro High kicks off its 2018 football season without a head coach.

Elvin James resigned early Thursday morning.

Well-loved and well-respected by his players and peers, James announced to the students that he was stepping down due to medical reasons, according to a statement released by Wayne County Public Schools late Thursday evening.

Timothy Ray will serve as the interim head coach.

Goldsboro High Principal Christopher D. Horne described James as a living legend for the students and school community.

"He has also become a mentor to me in my first few weeks as principal," Horne said. "I appreciate the passion he brought to our school, his accomplishments as an educator and as a coach, and his efforts to recruit a high quality group of men to serve as assistant coaches, volunteer coaches and mentors for our student-athletes."

When contacted by the News-Argus, James said "no comment" and that he preferred to "let the administration handle it first," then he would speak.

In his second stint with the maize and old gold, James guided the Cougars to a 6-6 record as new members of the highly-competitive East Central 2-A Conference last fall. The league produced state champion Wallace-Rose Hill (2-A small schools) and state runner-up East Duplin (2-AA large schools).

The decision stunned Dwight Sutton, GHS athletics director.

"That was from way out in left field," Sutton said. "I was really surprised."

Ray inherits a team that is projected to return 29 letter-winners from a year ago.

Leading the group are two seniors -- heavily-recruited running back Xzavior Bowden and quarterback Brody Morton. Bowden rushed for more than 2,100 yards and tallied 27 touchdowns in 2017. Morton threw for 879 yards on 59 completions.

"While we are unable to replace Coach James, Coach Ray has demonstrated that he is committed to our students and to the Cougar athletic program, and has the highest expectations for our student-athletes in the classroom and on the field," Horne said.

"I look forward to working with Coach Ray as he works to take our football program to the next level."