PIGEON FORGE — Emory Cain has resigned as the Pigeon Forge head girls basketball coach, citing that he thought it was time to step down.
Follow Pigeon Forge News on Google News
He spent seven years as the girls head coach, compiling an overall record of 102-106, and the Lady Tigers advanced to the region tournament in five of his seven years at the helm.
“This has not been an easy decision but at this time, I think it’s best for me to step down as girls basketball coach at Pigeon Forge High School,” he said in a statement on his personal twitter page.
“I believe that it’s a time for a change for me as well as the girls need a change in their leadership. It has been a great seven years filled with fantastic basketball memories.”
His best year as Pigeon Forge’s head coach came in 2017-2018 when they finished 22-9 and made the region semifinals.
The Lady Tigers lost 59-55 to Gatlinburg-Pittman that year, but they made it back a year later to the region semifinals, losing 52-46 to Northview Academy.
Having a son that was recently born impacted Cain’s decision to step down, as it will allow Cain to spend more time with him.
Coaching basketball isn’t completely over for him, however, and he will step back and see what opportunities come available for next year.
“I don’t want to take a year off, but if that is what happens, then it will allow me to spend some time with my son,” he said. “If I step into an assistant role, that will let me spend more time with my son as well.”
Cain mentioned that he wants to coach boys basketball, and he hopes that opportunity will come up at some point in the future.
While the future is uncertain, he will miss the people at Pigeon Forge High School and the friends he has made through basketball the most if he is not on the sidelines next season.”
“I just thought it was time. If I am not at Pigeon Forge High School next year, it is going to be the people that I miss the most,” he said. “You can’t replace people.”