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Going out a winner North Medford High head football coach Rod Rumrey, shown here at the state championship game in Eugene in December, is stepping down after 13 years at North. Last season he took the Black Tornados to second place in state and was named state coach of the year. His decision caught many by surprise, but he says "it�s time for some of our young coaches to step in and keep things going." By Tim Trower There are so many compelling reasons for Rod Rumrey to keep his job as North Medford High�s football coach. Talented players returning from last year�s state runner-up team. A staff of competent, tireless assistants. Underclasses teeming with players able and willing to carry on success to which the Black Tornado is accustomed. All very good reasons to stay. All very good reasons to leave. Rumrey, who culminated his 30th year as a high school head coach last fall by taking North Medford to second place in the state and being named state coach of the year, announced his resignation Thursday after 13 years at North. Stopping occasionally to compose himself, Rumrey, 53, made the declaration at a press conference at the school. He was flanked by his wife, Julie, daughters Sara and Ali, district athletic director Bruce Howell and North Medford athletic director Mike Kay. The decision caught many by surprise, given the robust condition of the program. But that�s also what makes it the perfect time for Rumrey, an emotional man who, try as he might, can�t mask the deep feelings he has for his players, staff and school. By stepping aside now, with a full cupboard, he�s able to show his devotion to them and the program one last time. "I saw what North Medford football is now and what it will be for a long time in the future," said Howell, "and I thought Rod would stick with that and ride the wave." Ultimately, Rumrey said, he decided he couldn�t keep up the pace required in the demanding Southern Oregon Conference. He hit the proverbial wall. "I really feel good about Black Tornado football," said Rumrey, "but it�s time for some of our young coaches to step in and keep things going. I�m going to miss football a great deal, but this is the right thing to do." He noted that he�s gone through the rigors of two-a-day practices at the start of each season for 40 years, counting his playing days. "The players have been through them for three, and they tell me they don�t like it," he laughed. Several years ago, Rumrey felt the effects of burnout and nearly retired. Midway through last season, he realized his time had probably come. He made the decision about a month ago, but didn�t tell anyone until he informed his family early this week. "I agonized over it," he said. "It was not a quick decision. Every night I woke up in the middle of the night knowing that I had to step down, and every morning I�d go to school and see the kids and see them working so hard, and that would shoot some life into me." But his coaching credo was to never cheat the kids, he said, and to continue when his heart wasn�t in it would be doing just that. The toughest people to tell of his decision were the players. He did so in a Thursday meeting. "It was a complete surprise," said junior Alan Borelli, an all-conference linebacker. "I went to give him a hug and told him how much I�d miss him. He told me, �You don�t know how much I�ll miss you guys.� "I was getting teary-eyed so I had to step away." Dan Johnson, another junior who made all-conference as offensive guard, didn�t play football in middle school, so Rumrey is the only head coach he�s known. "I can�t picture football without coach Rumrey," he said. "He is North Medford football." Last season was the third time Rumrey has taken a football team to the state championship game. His Sweet Home team won the Class 3A title in 1987 and his �93 North Medford team did so after finishing third in the SOC. Rumrey compiled a 205-96 record at Glendale, Sweet Home and North Medford. His record with the Black Tornado was 98-61. Rumrey will continue to teach physical education and will assist his daughter, Sara, the North Medford softball coach. The school district will advertise the position in the coming weeks to schools in Oregon, Washington and Northern California and post the opening on the Web, said Howell. There is no timetable to name a successor. Whoever gets the position will have plenty to work with. Rumrey has said this coaching staff is the best he�s had; he went so far as to turn over more control than ever to his coordinators, Brent Barry on offense and John Beck on defense. Three all-conference players return from the varsity. In the lower grades last fall, the junior varsity won five of its last six games and the freshman team went undefeated and "probably was one of the best freshman teams I�ve ever seen," said Rumrey. Rumrey�s decision caught some of his peers off guard as well. "The intensity of a 14-game season takes its toll," said Roseburg coach Thurman Bell. "It�s getting tougher, but he chooses to go out as a winner and I really congratulate him. If you�re going to go out, that�s the way to go, on top." Eagle Point coach Mike Johnston lauded Rumrey�s performance. "His teams were always really prepared and always played with a lot of emotion," he said. "They were a lot like Rod, I guess. He brought a lot of energy to our conference and accomplished a state championship. "He helped add to the standing of our conference on a statewide basis." Rumrey still has one football game to coach � the Oregon Bowl all-star game for graduated seniors this summer. "Hopefully," he said, "we can get one more win. It�ll probably be a pretty meaningful game." Reach sports editor Tim Trower at 776-4479, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.