Blakeney On Retirement: ‘It’s Time to Move On’
Twenty four years at Troy, 45 years in coaching– “it’s time for me to probably move on,” said Troy University Head Coach Larry Blakeney. And with that this is Blakeney’s final season.
Athletic Director John Hartwell said, “the guy’s a legend.”
Willie Powe Jr., a cheerleader said, “Between the years of 04 to maybe 2011 Troy was the Boise State, Troy was the TCU around this way.”
Hartwell said, “175 wins, 5 Sun Belt Titles, 5 bowl appearances, during the 1AA days 7 out of 8 years in the playoffs.”
Aaron Grant, a senior said, “I feel like he’s done a lot for this University. He’s brought in a lot of good players and they’ve had success in the past but over the past few seasons something’s been different.”
Blakeney said, “The wins are great, the losses are awful. It’s awful. It kills you. It wrenches your gut.”
And a losing start to the Trojan season has overshadowed Blakeney’s success
Caitlyn Napper, a freshman said, “I have grown up in Troy so coming to the games he’s always been the coach so it is sad to see him leave.”
Blakeney said, “Larry Blakeney’s been here for 24 years and he’s moving on to another horizon in his life, retirement. Hey the next guy in here, with the interest that people have in this program will sustain whomever that is to greater heights. And that’s what I hope for this program and the next head coach.”
And to answer the question of why now? Coach Blakeney says with an 0 and 5, he hopes his announcement might serve as motivation to turn the season around in Troy.
