Straughn High School head football coach Ashley Kilcrease called his team to a team meeting on Monday morning. He then announced that he would be retiring from the sport.
Kilcrease was the Head Coach for eight seasons. He completed his tenure with a record of 72-26 and 49-7 in regional play. He was the coach who led Brantley to a record of 48-16 and was a 30-3 record from 2013 to 2017 and won two regional championships at the school he attended. Kilcrease also coached his Bulldogs to a 15-year winning streak in baseball, and was the winner of the state championship in 2009. Kilcrease assumed the helm as the head coach at Straughn in 2021. He recorded the team’s record at 24-10, which was 19-4 in regional competitors. The Tigers have won their first regional title in 14 years, and their fifth season with 10 wins in the history of Straughn under his direction this season.
“I really believe that coaching is a passion. It’s all about the relationships that are created lasting for a life time. I will always be grateful to the boys who are at Straughn, Brantley, and Andalusia I’ve had the opportunity to coach and be an integral an integral part of their lives. Baseball and football were an integral part the coaching experience I had. It’s all about winning on the field however, on the other side of the ball is the place where distinction can be made in coaching” Kilcrease said.
After talking with his family members about the decision and praying for it to be a good decision, he made the decision to spend more time with his family.
“My daughter is a 9th class student at Brantley. As she progresses to high school sports, I think it’s crucial for me to be with her. It’s just not fair for us not being in the same place. The past three years were the most enjoyable times of the coaching profession. I am very grateful God has given me the chance serving those in the Straughn neighborhood as their coach for football,” he said.
In addition to the stadium for his daughter’s sporting events, Kilcrease will begin a career in sales at BSN Sporting Goods.
“I am excited and anxious about the changes simultaneously.”
He thought about his experience at Straughn and acknowledged the people who assisted him during his time at Straughn.
“Straughn has always been a very special spot and I’ll forever be grateful for the three years I have spent here and the relationships I have made with the wonderful people who live here. I think we’ve laid the right foundation, and I believe that exciting times are coming for this team. I want to express my gratitude to every assistant coach that helped us. We’ve had an amazing team that has worked extremely for the past three seasons and deserve a lot of credit. My family has made a lot of sacrifices to allow me to coach once more. I am extremely grateful for (SHS Director) Matt Cobb and him offering me a chance to coach,” Kilcrease said.
His wife is Wendy and they are grandparents of three kids: Jake, 23, Luke 21 as well as Marley Kate, 14.
The search for the next school’s head football coach will start shortly.
The article Straughn soccer manager Ashley Kilcrease announces retirement was first published in The Andalusia Star-News.
