Gaffney High School Indians Head Football Coach and Athletics Director Phil Strickland shocked the Indian Nation on Tuesday as he announced that he was stepping down from the Indians program after seven seasons of leading the most storied program in South Carolina High School football history. Strickland has decided to accept the Head Coaching position at 2A Newberry. Phil Strickland came to Gaffney in 2003 and resurrected the storied Gaffney program after three consecutive losing seasons. He reestablished the discipline and winning attitude of the proud Indians program, in his first season at the helm, leading the Tribe to a 14 and 1 record and the 4A Division 1 State Championship. In Strickland's seven seasons at Gaffney he had a 76 and 23 record and three 4A Division 1 State Championships. Five of his Gaffney teams made it at least to the State Semi-final game. The Gaffney Indians should be one of the teams to beat in Class 4A in the fall as they return several talented players from their 10 and 4 team of 2009.
Sources have said that the surprise resignation came because of conflicts between Coach Strickland and the Cherokee County School Board and administration. Strickland had not seen eye-to-eye with school board members for the past few years. The relationship between Phil Strickland and the School Board has been deteriorating since the controversy of building the new Gaffney High School football stadium. Phil Strickland decided on Tuesday that he had had enough and he walked away from the Indians program saying "I am tired of beating my head against a brick wall." The ArmChair Coach thinks that the Cherokee County School Board is the one that needs to leave. Phil Strickland did not deserve to be treated like this!! Phil Strickland will land on his feet, because he is a great football coach and a great human being. The Gaffney Indians will survive and land on their feet because of their Pride and Tradition.
Until Next Time.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
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