PREP FOOTBALL: Sanders departs "The Swamp"

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on July 25, 2017 5:52 AM

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SEVEN SPRINGS -- In less than one month, Spring Creek launches its 2017 varsity football campaign with a new head coach on the sideline.

Aaron Sanders has been relieved of his duties after spending nine seasons at his alma mater.

The school's administration and athletics department determined the program needed "restructuring," and announced that Daniel Robinson will serve as interim head coach this fall. Robinson has been the Gators' offensive coordinator each of the past two years, and is just the third head coach during Spring Creek's 18 years of existence overall.

Steve Clingan, principal at Spring Creek, said the time Sanders invested in the program was "appreciated" but added "it was time to take the Gator football program in a different direction."

"We would like our students, parents and the Spring Creek community to know that much thought and deliberation went into this decision," Clingan continued. "In the end, we felt that this coaching change was in the best interest of the Gator program."

Sanders' meeting with Clingan included Dean Sauls, assistant superintendent of Wayne County Public Schools. Clingan explained part of the administration's resolution was also based on the lack of participation in football by student-athletes.

The comment stunned Sanders, who also questioned the timing of his dismissal.

"You put a lot of people in a difficult situation when you wait that long before you do something like that," Sanders said. "You put those young men on the football team in a difficult situation. And you put the coaching staff on the football team in a difficult situation."

Sanders' last four teams posted a total of 10 wins from 2013-16 and advanced to the playoffs each time. The Gators were eliminated twice by perennial powerhouse Wallace-Rose Hill, which has claimed the last three 1-AA state crowns.

The four-year run was the program's best since the teams from 2002 to 2005 combined to earn 14 victories -- including a 6-6 mark in 2005, which is the lone winning season in school history.

Sanders played on the Gators' first two teams.

"Spring Creek is where I'm from and it's always been good to me," Sanders said. "I don't wish anyone any ill will and I wish the folks who are still there the best of luck."

Robinson takes over a program that has dealt with limited resources since its inception in 2001.

The main sore spot is the workout room -- a storage closet inside the gym equipped with four weight benches and three squat racks. At least 100-plus students use the facility during either weight-lifting class or practice after school.

And though it's a sore spot for the departing head coach, a passionate Sanders credited the current and former student-athletes for looking past the equipment shortage and working to get better and stronger on a daily basis.

"To me, it speaks volumes for them as people," Sanders said. "You've got to have a facility upgrade, not only for athletic development but from a pure safety point."

The third-smallest school in the 2-A classification, Spring Creek kicks off the year Aug. 18 at South Lenoir. Once the season concludes, Clingan said the administration plans to search for a new head coach.