Ed Pilcher, whose 250 victories ranked fifth among active GHSA coaches, has resigned as head football coach at Berrien, citing health reasons, The Valdosta Daily Times reported Wednesday afternoon.
Pilcher, 65, is best known as the coach at Thomas County Central in Thomasville from 1991 to 2007. His Yellow Jackets won five state championships (1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997). Only four coaches in GHSA history have won more.
Pilcher also coached at Early County (1986-90), where he reached the Class AA semifinals twice; Bainbridge (2008-12) and Berrien (2013-15).
His 2014 Berrien team, though only 4-7, was the first at the school to reach the state playoffs since 1993. The 2015 team was the first in history to beat Thomasville, ending an 0-20-1 drought.
Pilcher does not rule out coaching again but told the newspaper that his health is his priority.
‘’But, right now, I'm not sure that I want to be a head coach anymore,’’ Pilcher told Jamie Wachter of Daily Times. “I really enjoy just being out on the grass and coaching. If I could find a place where I don't have to worry about going out on Friday nights, and just coach, without turning the scoreboard on, it would be a whole lot different."
For more on the story with many comments from Pilcher, see the Daily Times' story by Wacther.
Most GHSA state championships:
14 – Wright Bazemore, Valdosta
11 – Larry Campbell, Lincoln County
7 – Nick Hyder, Valdosta
7 – Jess Simpson, Buford
5 – Charlie Grisham, Carrollton
5 – Ed Pilcher, Thomas County Central
Most wins among coaches active in 2015:
343 - Alan Chadwick, Marist
333 - Barney Hester, Howard
273 - Jeff Herron, Grayson
268 - Rich McWhorter, Charlton County
250 - Ed Pilcher, Berrien
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