Bill Kimrey steps down at Dutch Fork

After 29 years as a high school football head coach, the past 18 with Dutch Fork, Bill Kimrey resigned Tuesday.

Kimrey, who is retired and working in the TERI program, will continue to serve as athletics director through June 30.

"Eighteen years (at Dutch Fork) is a long time, and it's been a good time," Kimrey said in an e-mail. "God has blessed my family and I by putting the Kimreys here in this community. My children have gotten a great education, and I have enjoyed coaching here over the years."

Kimrey said he spent several weeks making his decision and decided a change would be good for everyone.

"I think it's something every coach revisits every year at the end of the season. The biggest thing is the last few years were hard on the coaches, the kids and myself," said Kimrey, whose Silver Foxes finished 2-9 each of the past two seasons.

One of the Midlands' longest-tenured coaches, Kimrey joined the Dutch Fork staff as the coach when the school opened in 1992, and he amassed a 110-106 record in 18 seasons.

In 1994, the Silver Foxes posted the program's longest winning streak - nine games - on the way to a 10-3 record and an appearance in the third round of the Class 4A Division I playoffs..

"We had a good experience," said Jim Anderson, whose sons Justin and Garrett played for Kimrey in recent years. Garrett is a senior lineman for South Carolina. "Our family never anticipated that Garrett would be a Division I athlete. He learned a lot at Dutch Fork under coach Kimrey that helped get him there."

"It was a great atmosphere. I felt like coach Kimrey genuinely loved and cared for the kids that played for him, for all the athletes at the school."

During his tenure, Kimrey coached all four of his sons in football, and in 1997 Erik Kimrey set state records for most passes completed in a game ( 35) and season (274).

Kimrey started his head-coaching career in 1978 at Wardlaw Academy and spent two seasons as an assistant at his alma mater, Cardinal Newman, before becoming the head coach at Lower Richland.

Kimrey twice guided the Diamond Hornets to the state championship game, losing in 1989 and '91.

"Bill's a good friend, and Bill's a good coach," Irmo football coach Bob Hanna said. "He runs a quality program. I think he's got a lot of class. He does it the right way. ...

"I don't like it (that he's stepping down). I think he's a fine man and he'll always be my friend.

Kimrey is not ready to completely walk away from the sidelines.

"I think I've got a few good years left in me," he said. "I probably will want to stay in coaching, but I don't think I want a position with the athletics director attached to it."

This story was originally published November 18, 2009 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Bill Kimrey steps down at Dutch Fork."