SOUTH WHITLEY - After 29 years on the sidelines, Whitko High School football coach Bryan Sprunger has decided to step away.
During Monday's Whitko School Board meeting, Sprunger's retirement was made official, although it was news he had already given his players at Whitko's fall sports awards program earlier this month."I think it's just time for a change," Sprunger said.
Sprunger began his Whitko coaching career as an assistant, a position he held for three years before taking over the program. Since then, the coach has compiled a 140-125 record during his 26 years, which included a 1986 Class 2A state championship.
"When you're somewhere for 26 years, you did a lot of things right," Whitko Athletic Director Rob Irwin said of Sprunger. "He did a lot right for Whitko."
Through all the wins, Sprunger says it's the players that highlighted his coaching career.
"I'll remember the players, the support we received and the other coaches I've been associated with," Sprunger said.
Sprunger began to consider retirement following his son Justin's graduation after the 2005 season, but his love for the game kept him coming back.
"I decided that next year (2006) would be my last, but after it was over, I decided to come back," he said.
Now, his decision is final, and he has no regrets. So when July rolls around, instead of shouting out the orders during Wildcat practices, he'll just be a part of the crowd.
"I'm going to enjoy being off, and I'll be one of the guys along the fence," Sprunger said. "If the new coach wants help, I'll be glad to help though."
And Irwin would expect no less from the longtime Whitko coach.
"He's true blue Whitko," Irwin said of Sprunger.
"He was good for the kids, good for the community and represented the school the way it should have been," he added.
