Clifford Story is ready to be a full-time dad on Saturdays with no distractions.

With one son playing college football at Alabama and another playing at Clemson, Story announced Monday morning he was stepping down as head football coach at Lanett High School after 14 successful years.

“I’ve analyzed it over the years and just trying to go back and forth between Alabama and Clemson, it’s hard. It’s taxing on my body,” Story told AL.com. “My dad lost his leg a few years ago, and I want to spend more time with him. I also did not want to cheat Lanett.

“I didn’t feel like I could give it my full attention with everything I have going on, especially with two sons playing elite football. I didn’t want to be there supporting them on Saturday with reservations that I should be breaking down film or whatever. I wanted to enjoy being their dad.”

Kristian Story, a former Alabama Mr. Football while playing for his father at Lanett, is a senior defensive back at Alabama with two years of eligibility remaining. Caden Story is a redshirt freshman defensive tackle at Clemson.

“It’s been a great ride,” Clifford Story said. “I’m not saying I will never coach again, but right now I just want to be a daddy.”

In 14 years at Lanett, Story won 114 games and lost 50. His region record was 67-27. The Panthers won the Class 2A state title in 2017 and the 1A title in 2019. Both of those teams were undefeated. His 2016 team reached the state semifinals, and he had four other quarterfinal appearances.

“When I set out to do this job, I wanted to have an impact on the community and the kids and help them become men,” Story said. “I feel like I was able to do that. I have worked with some phenomenal coaches along the way. The administration has been fantastic. The city has given us everything we’ve needed. They all helped us be successful.

“It’s been a great run. My family has supported me in every decision. I can’t complain about anything. As has been said many times, I think you always want to leave a place better than you found it, and I believe we’ve done that. The new facility is opening and, with what we have coming, Lanett will be successful for a long time.”

Story said he will continue in his role as athletic director and also have duties at the Central Office in transportation and maintenance. He also obviously will have a role in selected his successor.

“Anyone can’t come in here and coach,” he said. “You have to understand the demographic, understand the kids. I won’t be a micro manager, but I do want to make sure the right person gets the job. We will be very thorough in the hiring process. Here you are dealing with a lot of kids in single parent homes. A lot goes into being successful at Lanett. So, we need to have the right fit.”

Story also did not close the door on a return to coaching in the future, hinting that the time might be right when Kristian and Caden aren’t playing college football any longer.

“As for coach Story, that is what I want to do,” he said. “I don’t know if it is the Lord’s will, but coaching is still in my blood. I’ve been doing it for 27 years. I would like to come back in some capacity. I’m not sure today what that will look like down the road, but I would definitely like to be back in it in some capacity.”