After years of coaching Varsity Spartan basketball, Jason Eldredge is resigning.

Last spring, Eldredge stepped up as the head varsity and junior varsity football coach following JT Biddison’s retirement. Once basketball activities began, however, it proved difficult to devote enough time to both teams.

“[I want] to give full attention and initiative to the football program,” said Eldredge.

Though he has been coaching basketball much longer, Eldredge chose to remain with the football program to help it continue to grow. He believes the basketball program is strong enough to carry on without him as its coach.

“The basketball program is set up for success…when we hire the next person, they can come in and be successful right away,” said Eldredge. “Football is not at that place yet.”

The football players are looking forward to the extra time Eldredge can now spend helping them improve.

“[Resigning from basketball] gives him more time to work on football and make us a lot better,” said junior David Van Buren, who plays on the Varsity football team. “[We need to spend time] in the weight room and [making] plans on what players need to go where.”

Eldredge also hopes to increase the school spirit surrounding the football program. Last season, Eldredge’s first as the Varsity football coach, was rocky with a 3-7 record.

“[I want the football program to be] as successful as it can be so that our student body is as proud of our football team as they are of our basketball team,” said Eldredge.

While the basketball players are sad Eldredge is leaving, they accept his choice to resign and appreciate everything Eldredge has done to develop the basketball program during his time as its coach.

“It’s his decision…He knows what’s best for the program,” said sophomore Spencer Askew, who plays on the Varsity basketball team. “He’s done such a great job progressing [the basketball program]. It’s our job to go forward from there.”

The basketball players, however, are pleased at the prospect of having a new coach to shake things up.

“It’s exciting getting a new coach who’s going to come in and…pick up where we were last year,” said Askew.

Still, the players hope that Eldredge will continue to be involved in the basketball program he has worked hard to build.

“[Eldredge is] such a great mentor and I hope he stays around,” said Askew. “[He’s] like a father figure.”

Eldredge will not only be engaged in the process of choosing the next basketball coach, but also wishes to remain connected with the players, even though he will no longer be their coach.

“I hope the basketball boys know that I still support them one-hundred percent and I will still be in this building if they need anything,” said Eldredge. “That doesn’t change just [because] I will not be getting after them in the gym every day.”