CRESTVIEW – Crestview High School boys basketball Coach Greg Watson has resigned to accept the same position at Foley High School in Foley, Ala.
Watson made the announcement on his Facebook page late Tuesday night.
“I had a tough decision and decided that it was right for me to go to Foley High School in Foley, Ala.,” he said. “I am very excited for this opportunity, but I will miss my players, friends and Crestview.
“I just wanted to say I love Crestview High School, the people, community, the players I had the opportunity to coach and the coaches and friends I met. I will never forget Crestview and the awesome people there.”
In his two years as the Bulldog coach, Watson helped restore the Crestview tradition with back-to-back 20-win seasons and district championships. Watson led the Bulldogs to the Class 7A Elite Eight each year marking Crestview’s best finishes in the state tournament since the mid-1980s.
Bulldog head football coach and athletic director Tim Hatten said it was tough to see Watson go, but he understands the reason he left for the Alabama job.
“If he stays in Florida he has to work 28 years until retirement but in going to Alabama he only has to work 15 more,” Hatten said. “You think about that 28 compared to 15 is a no brainer for him.
“It’s unfortunate for us because I thought he was a great asset to school and community. We hate to lose him, but we certainly wish him the best at Foley.
Hatten is confident that with the success Watson produced and the returning players that they will be able to hire a good coach.
“Mr. Day (Crestview Principal Dexter Day) is heading up that end of the search,” Hatten said. “We have some possible guys interviewing that are on staff. We hope to make a decision pretty quick.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that we will get a great guy. We are excited about the opportunity to get started and get those guys a coach and headed in the right direction.”
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Watson steps down as Crestview High School's boys basketball coach