Hall of Fame football coach Stacy Luker has stepped down as head coach at Clarke County High after six years.

Luker led the Bulldogs to the Class 2A state title in 2021.

“It was just time,” he told AL.com. “It was time here. It’s hard to explain. Donna (Luker’s wife) and I have been praying about it for 6-8 months. It’s just time. I have no idea the next step is. I felt like the timing was right.”

Luker, 58, went 44-29 at Clarke County.

He led the Bulldogs to the semifinals in 2017. A year ago, his team went 13-2 and defeated Cleveland 49-41 to win the state title. The Bulldogs reached the state quarterfinals this past year, finishing 7-6 overall.

“It’s been an honor to be here these six years,” said Luker, who told the team of his decision Friday morning. “I’m very grateful to our principal, Chris Young, and superintendent, Larry Bagley, for the opportunity and the way they’ve treated my family and me.

“They have treated us with so much respect. I’ll always be appreciative of that. It’s certainly been a good run – a state championship, playoff wins, region championships. I’ve worked with some really good coaches and players. It’s been a good six years.”

Luker has a 238-107 record in 27 years as a head coach in Alabama and one in Mississippi. He was inducted into the Alabama High School Hall of Fame last spring. He won five state titles as Sweet Water’s head coach from 2002-2013.

He’s also been head coach at Demopolis (2015-2016), Thomasville (1997-2001), Washington County (1995-1996) and Neshoba County, Miss. (2014). He said he doesn’t know what his next step will be. He plans to remain at the school as athletic director for the rest of the year unless another opportunity arises.

“For the right opportunity, the right fit – I’ll coach again,” he said. “If that doesn’t come along, I don’t know what I will do. I will just follow God’s lead and see where He takes me.”

Luker said he liked being able to leave on his terms.

“It’s great to be able to step down without having to,” he said. “I’ve never had to step down from a job, and I take pride in trying to leave places better than I found them. That is always important to me.”