SCHS says farewell to Boys’ Head Basketball Coach Chad Bridges

The Stephens County Indians are looking for a new boys’ head basketball coach.  After seven seasons, Chad Bridges is leaving Stephens County High School and going to Franklin County.  Not only did Bridges graduate and play basketball for the Lions, but there are other reasons he is returning to Franklin County to teach and coach.  

“My wife teaches there.  I’ve got two children that still go to school there so I just felt like a good time to make a move for our family and hopefully will be a little bit easier on us with less travel and certainly being together,” he said.

Even though he will not be a head coach, Bridges says he’ll still be involved with the Lion’s athletic program.  

“I’ve got about 11 years left before I can retire, so I am going to be involved with coaching in some aspect.  I am going to be an assistant coach for volleyball and girls basketball with the hopes of one day moving into athletic director or assistant athletic director—one of those rolls,” he said.

Chad Bridges said he is pleased with the progress that the boys’ basketball program has made at Stephens County over the last 7 years.  

“I think we’ve got the boys’ basketball program to a place that everyone’s proud of.  We’ve come a long way…certainly raised the expectation level of hopefully the fans and certainly the student athletes.  Those kids came in everyday and competed and got better,” he said. “ I’m really proud of what we’ve done and what we’ve been able to accomplish and certainly feel like I’m leaving the program in a better place than what I found it.  You certainly always want to do that.”

Under Bridges’ leadership, the Indian boys’ basketball team won 75 games over the last four seasons, played in the second round of the state playoffs the last three seasons and played for the region title the last two seasons.