Greene Central's Browning resigns

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 23, 2007 2:13 PM

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SNOW HILL -- A positive influence and integral part of a tradition-rich athletics program at Greene Central has left the men's varsity basketball team.

Second-year head coach Robert Browning officially tendered his resignation to principal Randy Bledsoe and athletics director James "Rabbit" Fulghum earlier this week.

"I feel it is time for me to move on," Browning said in a written statement to Bledsoe. "I have had a great time working with the kids from Greene County and wish them more continued success in the future.

"Thank you for letting me coach men's basketball at Greene Central. The kids, parents and fans were really great."

Browning was the program's third head coach in the last five years. He compiled a two-year varsity mark of 36-16, which included back-to-back appearances in the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 2-A playoffs.

Greene Central successfully defended its EPC tournament title and added the regular-season title to its resume under Browning's direction. The Rams finished 20-7 after falling to archrival Farmville Central in the sectional semifinals.

Browning spent two seasons as head junior varsity coach and served as an assistant varsity coach to the late Kevin Hart. Hart, who resigned after the 2005 season, died of a massive heart attack before the Rams entered their heart of their EPC schedule.

"We dedicated the season to Coach Hart after he passed away," said Browning, who was named EPC coach of the year this season. "We had to overcome adversity. Now that the season is over, it's been really hard. He was such a good friend.

"I'm looking forward to spending more time with my daughter and fiance. I'm also looking into some coaching opportunities that have become available."

Browning has interviewed for jobs at Fayetteville Pine Forest and New Bern. Hart's predecessor, Tod Morgan, coached at New Bern and recently resigned a few weeks ago to become the head men's basketball coach at Cape Hatteras High School.

Fulghum said a search for Browning's successor has started. Browning will teach until the end of the calendar school year and will participate on the search committee.

"We feel like we offer a good environment for a basketball coach," said Fulghum. "We have a great fan base and our kids really like sports. We also have excellent support from our administration and community."

Greene Central is the third athletics program in the News-Argus coverage area to announce a coaching resignation within the past six weeks. Goldsboro and Rosewood are currently reviewing applications submitted for their vacant head football coaching positions.

Rosewood is also seeking an athletics director.

Editor's note: The Kinston Free Press contributed to this story.