Aydelott resigns as Riverdale football coach

MURFREESBORO — The idea of leaving Riverdale first hit Ron Aydelott about three years ago.

On Tuesday, he decided it was time to make it official.

Aydelott, who had been the Warriors' football coach the past 10 years, announced his resignation to his team.

"For the last two to three years I've talked to (Principal) Tom (Nolan) that I was about to that point," Aydelott said. "I just wanted to make sure that everything was taken care of and make sure I was done.

"And I believe I am. It's hard to say until the season rolls around. I just feel like I'm ready to do something different with my life."

Riverdale finished 6-6 in 2015, reaching the second round of the Class 6A playoffs. The Warriors were fifth in Region 2-6A play at 3-4.

Aydelott went 88-35 with eight trips to the playoffs at Riverdale. His 2009 and 2011 teams advanced to the TSSAA Class 6A state semifinals.

Aydelott said he has accepted the head football coaching job at at Williamson County's Mill Creek Middle School, which is scheduled to open in the fall. He said he may assist Nolensville High School and coach Will Hester on Friday nights.

But he added that Nolensville will not play a varsity schedule until 2017.

"I am going to take a middle school football job," he said. "That's an important job, but it's not as time consuming as high school. It should free my weekends for the most part."

Aydelott's decision comes nine months after the veteran coach sustained severe facial injuries following an assault by a 17-year-old male student in his coach's office during school hours. Aydelott suffered a broken nose, jaw and optical eye bone in the incident.

Aydelott made it clear that the incident did not play a role in his decision to resign, and repeated that he had first started considering leaving two to three years ago.

Aydelott spent 12 seasons at Hillsboro in Nashville, winning the Class 4A state title in 2003 and runner-up in 2001 and 2002.

Aydelott returns to work at Riverdale

Nolan said he is already taking applications and resumes for the coaching vacancy.

Aydelott's departure comes a day after offensive line coach Jason Dobbs was named the Moore County football coach.

"I'm not going to rush it," Nolan said. "I need to find the best person for the job.

"We will miss coach Aydelott. He did a great job here. He averaged nine wins a year during his 10 years here. He was in the state playoffs for eight of his 10 years. He's a great coach and a great guy."

Aydelott has an overall high school coaching record of 189-82 (67 percent).

Aydelott came to Riverdale in 2006, replacing TSSAA Hall of Fame coach Gary Rankin, who left Riverdale for Alcoa in Blount County.

"It's been awesome here," Aydelott said. "We have a great principal. I had the chance to meet so many great coaches and kids. It's been a great part of my life. My son played for me here. That was a great time in my life.

"I love this community, and their spirit. It's been a big portion of my life."

He left the possibility open to one day coach high school again.

"At this point, I don't see it," Aydelott said. "But sometimes we change our mind. I'm not going to say never."

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Kreager.