After four years as head coach of the Varsity football team, John Biddison announced he will be stepping down.

The main reason, he said, was family.

“Basically, I got three kids. I want to spend time with my family,” said Biddison. “Family’s gotta come first.”

He said that coaching here was a fun experience, with plenty of memorable moments.

“The biggest highlight to me is going to practice every day,” he said, “working with all the kids… has been great.”

Players say they remember him as a hard-working and dedicated coach. He was often one of the first to arrive at the school, and one of the last to leave.

“He was always there for the team… [he was] a very dedicated coach,” said junior Clement Calderón, who played for Biddison the past two years. “His effort was definitely there.”

Many other players agree with this assessment.

“He worked hard. He would sometimes tell us he was staying up ‘til 2 or 3 in the morning watching film,” said sophomore Alex Vercellone, who played Varsity football for the first time this year. “He was a dedicated coach.”

According to some players, Biddison’s hard work extended beyond just coaching. He was also there for the athletes themselves.

“He always tried to maintain a positive relationship with the players,” said Calderón.

When it came to coaching, many players said he was good at keeping them motivated. He knew how to get kids working hard at practice, and also how to run games efficiently.

“He was good at organizing a game plan, and getting us focused throughout the week,” said Vercellone.

West Springfield went 6-4 this year, and the season was not without excitement. Calderón said that a highlight for him was their game against Robinson this year.

“We really weren’t expected to come in and win… We shut them down. It was really great,” said Calderón. “That was one of those games that makes you want to play football.”

Biddison said that game was a highlight for him too, and he was especially happy that WS beat them not just this year, but last year too. Robinson has a good football team, and beating them two years in a row is no small feat. Of course, that game wasn’t the only memorable one this year. Vercellone said that his favorite game was against West Potomac.

“Everyone thought we were going to lose, but we came out and played a good game,” said Vercellone.

Despite several disappointing games, Biddison said he has no regrets as coach.

“I mean, if you don’t go 16-0 and win the state championship, there’s always something you can look back on,” he said, “but I think everyone did their best.”

He said he hasn’t started to think yet about his legacy as a coach.

“That’s up to everybody else to decide,” he said.