Crimson Crier: How long have you been coaching?

Coach David Hughes: Going into this career it’s hard to make it 25 years. I am very fortunate that I can go out on my own terms. I am very fortunate that I was here for 21 out of the 25 years. I had some great players that I got to coach.

CC: What pushed you to step away from coaching?

Hughes: I am definitely going to miss it, but sometimes the body tells you that it’s time to move on. During this last season, I had some health problems that told me I had to take a step back. When you have a wife that is telling you “if you don’t take some time off it’s going to hurt you.”

CC: Having been a coach for so long, how does it feel?

Hughes: I already miss it and it’s only been a week. But that’s part of life. I’m definitely going to still be going to games and supporting the players and coaches. I’m going to be their biggest fan and their biggest critic too. I can do that stress-free. I can yell all I want and to me, that’s the fun part. 

CC: What are you going to miss the most?

Hughes: The thing I’m going to miss the most is the relationships with coaches and players. I’m really not going to miss the games. The games are stressful even when you win it’s still stress full

CC: What are you going to do?

Hughes: What am I going to do? Well, that’s honestly a good question. I have to figure that part out. I can spend time with my wife and the two dogs. It’s still kind of new 

CC: What are your biggest achievements?

Hughes: In the state of Alabama if you’re coaching high school sports for 25 years you’re known as a life coach. That was always one of my biggest goals because most people can’t. I ended up with 901 combined wins. But that goes back to the people I work with.

CC: What is a goal you did not achieve?

Hughes: The only goal I did not reach was winning a state championship. I have gone to the final four three times. But it’s all right, it’s a lot harder than people think.