Veteran football coach Ed Rigby has stepped down after just one season at Pike Road.

“The kids are great here. They are awesome. I’m so happy I got to be a part of their lives for eight months,” Rigby told AL.com Tuesday morning. “There are big things ahead for them. There will be another chapter for me Lord willing, and I’m going to focus on that.”

The Patriots went 7-5 in Rigby’s only season at the school. They lost at Homewood 24-21 in the second round of the playoffs. The school moved up to Class 6A after winning the 5A title in 2021 under former coach Patrick Browning.

“It was an honor to be surrounded by such a group of dedicated players and coaches,” Rigby wrote in an email posted on social media. “It was also an honor to lead the Patriots in their first year in 6A to Pike Road’s first-ever 6A playoff win. I appreciate the hard work and buy in that I received from the players.”

Pike Road was Rigby’s third head coaching stop. He spent five years at Elba, leading the Tigers to a 53-12 record and a Class 2A state title in 2015. He then led Eufaula for four seasons (2018-2021), winning 28 games and losing 18.

All 10 of his teams as a head coach have reached the playoffs.

“This is what is best at this time,” Rigby said. “I don’t have anything lined up right now. I’m just stepping out on faith. I believe God will put you in the right spot at the right time.”