After 39 years at the school, and 32 years roaming the sidelines, John Kirby is hanging up his whistle and retiring as both head football coach and an exceptional children’s program teacher and Eastern Alamance High School.
“In my case, it seems like I’ve been retiring for the past ten years,” Kirby, 61, said. “Every year, it came up. Through thought, prayer and talking with my family, I knew it was time to retire now. I wanted to give Eastern Alamance a chance to go ahead with hiring a new coach too.”
Kirby graduated from Eastern in 1980, and in 1985 came back to his alma mater to teach. In 1992, the same year he married his wife, Lisa, he became the head football coach.
“You have to have a football-wife to be successful, and my wife is wonderful,” Kirby said.
But his wife isn’t the only one in the family supporting EAHS football. His daughter, Lauren, was a cheerleader, and his son, JT, has been on the coaching staff for seven years.
“It has been so enjoyable to work with my son and get to do this together,” Kirby said.
He noted his highs and his lows during his tenure.
“In 1992, we were undefeated, and I thought I had all the answers. In 2004, we didn’t win a game, and I had no answers,” he said.
He said that the former head football coach at Williams High School, Sam Story, would call him every week during that year.
“He reached out to me when I first started, and we’ve been friends ever since. He’s been a mentor, and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve tried to do the same for other coaches. I’ve had so many members of my coaching staff go on to be successful in their careers,” Kirby said.
Patrick Stokes, now the head football coach at Williams High School, and Tony Aguilar, head football coach at Southeast Alamance High School, were both on Kirby’s staff for around 15 years.
Story said Kirby is a great guy and friend.
“He is a natural and is always on top of things. He knows that teamwork is the key to success, and he has an ability to get along with everyone,” he said. “For years, John’s done a tremendous job for the school, football, community, fans and the athletic program, as the head coach and athletic director. He is a great leader and mentor.”
Kirby said he is proud when former players return to the school, “and they’ve become doctors, lawyers or community leaders. I just hope that I’ve had some small part in their successes.”
Kirby said that his love of Eastern Alamance football has not changed, but the demands of the job have.
“As I’ve gotten older, the demands of what is expected to be the head coach and athletic director have grown a lot,” he said. “It’s cutting the grass (on the football field), going to clinics, practices, film sessions, games — there’s something every day. It becomes more exhausting the older you get. The grass doesn’t stop growing, and now, football’s year-round.”
While Kirby will be leaving the sidelines and classroom, he said he still wants to be silently involved.
“It’s going to be hard, and I won’t completely get away. I love Eagle’s football. The relationships that I’ve made on the field and off is what it’s all about,” Kirby said.
When asked about his plans, Kirby said he doesn’t have anything specific in mind.
“I feel that the good Lord will put me in the spot that I’m supposed to be,” he said. “For the last 32 years, my wife has been there and sacrificed. I want to be able to enjoy things with her and our children. Lisa says that we need to travel more. I hope that the first day of football practice, we’re on a beach together then, and again on the first day of school. She’s a retired teacher, and we’ve never gotten to do that.”
