The end of a coaching era in Harrison County – that included a lengthy and successful pit stop at Bridgeport High School – is at hand. According to the official agenda of the Harrison County Board of Education, that governing body will consider the resignation of Bruce Carey as the head football coach, as well as strength and conditioning coach, at Robert C. Byrd High School. Carey confirmed the resignation this evening.

 

“If I would have stayed it wouldn’t have been fair to the kids. The more I went through the winter (with weight training), the more I realized I just didn’t have the fire and desire,” he continued. “The kids understand it, but they were upset when I first told them.”

 

Carey is no stranger to football success in Harrison County, including a long stint with the Indians. Carey took over from Wayne Jamison in 1996 and coached until 2009. During his time with the Tribe he won the 2000 Class AA state championship by a 14-6 score over Wayne High School to cap an undefeated season. He also played for the title in 2001, before his team fell 21-7 to Poca.

 

The team was also successful when enrollment bumped the team up to Class AAA. In Carey’s last season, which came after he suffered what was described as a “spinal cord stroke,” he had arguably the second best team in the state that season. The Indians fell to South Charleston – the eventual champions – by a 28-25 score at Laidley Field.

 

During his stint with Bridgeport, Carey compiled a 125-31 record for a winning percent of .801. Only current coach Josh Nicewarner has a higher winning percentage. His teams won by an average margin of 16.17 points per game.

 

"I really enjoyed my time there," said Carey. "We had some success."

 

Carey returned to the coaching ranks three years ago and found immediate success. He went 31-9 during that time period and twice led the Eagles to the Class AA semifinals in 2012 and 2013; losing to eventual state champion Wayne. Last year, the No. 8 seed RCB squad fell in the semifinals to the Indians by a 35-14 score. They were the only team to test the Indians in the postseason as the score was 21-14 heading into the final period of the quarterfinal game at Wayne Jamison Field.

 

His success at RCB left him with an impressive overall varsity record. He finishes his career at 156-40. Carey also had stops as an assistant coach under the late Gary Barnette at South Harrison High School and was the freshman coach at Washington Irving High School. Carey also was an assistant at Glenville State College for current University of Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez.

 

RCB Principal Steve Gibson, who received the resignation, had nothing but praise for Carey.

 

“As a coach, he’s been remarkable for the school. In three years he’s had more playoff wins than the rest of our school history,” said Gibson. “Beyond that, he’s an excellent mentor for the students … He won every single one of them over because he was a good coach, offered tough love and was consistent. The kids knew that no one was above the team and they all respected him for that. He knew how to make the students feel comfortable and he did that at the same time that everyone knew who was in charge.

 

“Personally, I’m going to miss our Sunday drives to Parkersburg in November (for trips to the WVSSAC to see who and where the Eagles would play in the football playoffs). Once he took over, it never seemed like I had a free Sunday,” Gibson joked. “Looking back you thought you’d hate giving up those Sundays, but those were precious times. Those trips with Coach Carey are some of the best memories I’ve had. I’m going to miss that.”

 

Carey also confirmed that he's retiring from teaching next year as well. He said he hopes to spend more time with his wife Pam and perhaps do some traveling.

 

"I don't think I've traveled in the fall in about 40 years," said Carey. "Maybe it's time do that and spend some time with my family. I'm going to miss this for sure, but I'm also relieved with the decision."

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Bruce Carey during this year's Class AA quarterfinal against Bridgeport High School, while he's shown with legendary BHS Coach Wayne Jamison before the regular season game between the two teams this year in the middle and on the sidelines in the bottom picture. Photos by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.