Jay Gore resigns as McGavock High School's football coach after 11 seasons

Jay Gore is ready for the next challenge.

Gore resigned as McGavock's football coach after spending 11 seasons at the Metro Nashville program. He informed his team of his decision on Tuesday.

"I've been here 11 years and it's been a struggle for 11 years," Gore said. "It may be time ... it probably is time for somebody to come in with fresh ideas and a fresh face.

"Everything has got a lifecycle to it. I think I've done the cycle at McGavock. I've fought the good fight for 11 years."

Gore said he doesn't know what he'll do next. He currently plans to remain at the school.

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McGavock went to the playoffs all but two years during Gore's tenure. That included this year when the Raiders went 1-5 during a shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gore finished with a 51-66 record.

The Raiders advanced to the second round of the playoffs twice, including a 9-3 season in 2014.

Gore, 64, has coached in the Nashville area for 42 years with stops at East Robertson, Battle Ground Academy, Lipscomb Academy, Hillsboro, Brentwood and finally McGavock. His only other head coaching job came at East Robertson, where he ran the program in 1980 and 1981 before heading to BGA as an assistant.

McGavock is one of five Metro Nashville schools that will have new football coaches in 2021. Hillsboro, Hunters Lane, Maplewood and Overton also have had turnover.

The school is also replacing its girls basketball coach with the retirement of Kim May.

Gore prided himself in the condition of the school's football field — calling it the best playing surface in Metro. He also built the weight room and practice field with the help from the community and Metro Schools. Gore acknowledged the "blood and sweat" used to get the facilities where they are today.

"Our game field is the nicest in Metro," he said. "We've got great grass. I take care of it. I groom it. I put a lot of sweat and energy in it and that makes it hard to walk away."

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager.