Kyle Pierce Steps Down As Head Football Coach

Coach Kyle Pierce directs from the sidelines.

Edmonson Voice Staff
​photos by Darren Doyle
​Kyle Pierce has stepped down as head football coach at Edmonson County High School. Pierce, 35, took the job in 2004 at the age of 24 and just finished his 12th season as head football coach for the Wildcats, where he also played four years from 1995-1999.
 
During those twelve years, the Wildcats were 68-66, made the playoffs nine years, had an undefeated regular season with a district championship in 2011, and made it to the regional championship game in 2008.
 
Pierce was an assistant coach at Warren Central High School for five years under Rick Wood, before taking the job at Edmonson County. Pierce says that he always knew he was going to be a coach since his days in Little League football, but Wood helped to get it started earlier than he had planned. “I started during the spring of my senior year of high school. Coach Wood had resigned at Edmonson County and had taken the job at Warren Central in the spring of 1999. I was thinking about trying to find some small school to keep playing football just so I could stay close to the game. Coach Wood asked me if I would like the chance to coach, and I immediately accepted. I learned a lot being an assistant those five years. Most of our staff were either previous head coaches or have went on to be head coaches or coordinators since then. I learned from all of those guys, but Coach Wood really molded me into the coach I became.”

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Pierce instructs sophomore quarterback Tucker Cole (9).

Coach Piece speaks after a game.

Pierce says that he knew it was the right time. “It is difficult to walk away from coaching, because I really enjoy it, but at the same time I know what I am walking toward. I am looking forward to being a Dad, a Husband, a Son, a Brother, an Uncle… Those are things that I have not been able to do the way I have wanted to do them. I just have not been around enough. I have been coaching for 17 years and have enjoyed them all, but football can consume you where you never have enough time to be everything you need to be. My son will turn three in July. I did not want to look back and miss these years that are coming. My priorities have changed a lot since I started coaching, but it is amazing what having a child will do. I went back and forth on the decision, and tried to figure out ways to continue coaching, but when I prayed about what I should do, God gave me a clear answer.”

Pierce told Edmonson Voice Sports that telling his team was the toughest thing he's ever had to do. "I've spent 17 years trying to guide teenagers in the right direction," he said, emotionally. "Now it's time for me to be a Dad and make sure I do everything possible to make sure I raise him the right way."

Pierce said that the next few seasons should be good years for the Wildcats. “We have a great team returning. I never wanted to be the guy that leaves when the talent runs out. We have seven starters back on both sides of the ball and have around 40 players returning, with only 6 of them seniors. It is a good group of guys and it is tough to leave them. They play extremely hard and are fun to coach. We have had a few great years, and a few years that I wished would have went better, but in the end, I am glad to have built the relationships with my players, their parents, my coaching staff, opposing coaches, and officials. I have been blessed with some great kids to coach and great coaches to coach with.”

Pierce plans to continue his role as Athletic Director at Edmonson County High School.