Why Brent Alexander's resignation as Station Camp football coach surprised administrators

Station Camp finds itself looking for a new football coach with only a month before spring football practice is set to begin.

Brent Alexander submitted his letter of resignation Monday and told his team Tuesday that he was stepping down after three seasons at the helm. The move came as a surprise to Station Camp administration, according to athletics director Patrick Duffer.

"There was no indication that this would be his last year," Duffer said when asked if the school had any idea prior to the end of the 2022 season that Alexander would resign. "He's a go-getter, he's fiery and he's energetic. It was a surprise. We didn't know three years ago if he was going to be here one or two years or 15 or 20 years. He could have been here as long as he wanted to be as far as I was concerned."

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The Bison finished 6-4 last fall but missed the Class 5A playoffs after only a 2-4 Region 5 record. In his three seasons, Alexander had a 15-17 mark with the Bison.

Alexander did not return messages seeking comment.

He took over a program that was struggling under former coach Shaun Hollingsworth. Hollingsworth resigned at the end of the 2019 season. By Alexander's second year, the Bison were back in the playoffs for the first time since 2014. That 2021 team finished with an 8-3 record.

"Three years was a little bit sooner than I personally expected, to be honest," Duffer said.

Alexander will continue to teach his advanced coding class for the remainder of the school year while assistant coaches take on a larger role with players as it gears up for spring football. Duffer said spring practice is set to begin in late April and continue into May, but no interim coach has been named.

Duffer said Alexander could still be involved with the football program through the end of the school year and he anticipates an interim coach will be named in the coming week.

"Mr. (Art) Crook and I will collect any resumes," Duffer said. "I'm sure he'll put that (coaching) position out there at some point. I'm not sure when he wants to put it out there to the public, but word will spread. I've already gotten resumes and phone calls and inquiries."

A 1989 graduate of Gallatin High School, Alexander played college football at Tennessee State and played 12 seasons in the NFL with four different teams despite being undrafted. He played defensive back for Arizona (1994-97), Carolina (1998-99), Pittsburgh (2000-03) and the New York Giants (2004-05) with close to 900 tackles, 28 interceptions, eight sacks and eight fumble recoveries.

Reach sports writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.