Comments on: Tate High Head Football Coach Ed Rigby Resigns

By: Matt Lee

Matt Lee — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:00:27 +0000

Well let me tell you all something, Coach RIgby coached me in college where I played offensive line for the TABOR COLLEGE BLUEJAYS and he was a hell of a coach and even a better person off the field. I remember those days back when I was at Tabor I was a young man that, at the time, was going to school and raising a family, my son zach was just 3 at the time, and coach Ribgy gave me inspiration and motivation on the field and in the game of life. And I am tellin ya there was No other coach that could get you primed and ready for a game like COACH RIGBY!! if anyone has his contact info could you please email it to me it would be greatly appreciated

Thank You
Matt Lee

By: melissa

melissa — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:34:36 +0000

Bubba I totally agree with you. Yes I will miss Coach Rigby but it is time to get back to winning. Get the parents off the field that is there for their son only and get the real coaches on the field. We are hoping for the best in the upcoming year and Pray to God it will be a great one for the guys and everyone. Come on Bennett I know Bubba and alot of other are waiting for you.

By: Stephanie Morris

Stephanie Morris — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:59:07 +0000

My son is a Senior this year and has played under Coach Rigby for the past 4 years. We had a bad season but every team does from the NFL to College. I have to agree with what some of the people have said on here that truly know the man that Coach Rigby is – this is a man who has taught our guys more than just football. He is a great role model and mentor for each kid whether they play football or just have the privilege of knowing him. I hate that this has happened to him but it’s always true what they say “God has a plan for all of us” and this only leads Coach Rigby to his next school and possibly some kids there that the need the guidance and moral teaching he gave to our guys. My son was very upset about all of this and told me that he hopes the people involved in having HIS Coach fired feel bad for what they have done. I wish the school board could have either fired him (which is really what happened – or should I say – what is the truth) after the season was over and not the morning of the Senior Banquet – shame on all of you to do this to a group if kids who think the world of “their” coach not matter what a bunch of adults say. If anybody knows the true man behind the coach it would be his players. It was sad to not see him at the banquet but the kids didn’t let it go – in fact – after the banquet was over the all decided to go see Coach Rigby and that shows the true character of the men they have all become under Coach Rigby’s influence. Let’s face it – when we send our kids to school it’s not only to learn the basic of academics but we want them to come away with something more and Coach Rigby did this.

My son is a honor student headed for Florida State this fall with a GPA of 4.15 – we have several seniors on the team heading to major colleges and not necessarily for football but because of their academics and to me this means more than just having a winning season. Of course you won’t hear about these kids on the TV or in the newspaper but believe me I know the truth and that is these kids have learned more from Coach Rigby than just football and that’s what matters.

For those of you who don’t think recruiting happens in high school football – you are so misled but you can’t really blame on the other coaches recruiting the kids but the county administrators that let it happen.

Thanks Coach Rigby for the 4 years you had a part in helping my husband and I shape my son into the man he is today. You will be missed at Tate and I only hope the best for you in the future. May God bless you and your family!!!!!!

By: Football Mom of 3

Football Mom of 3 — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:42:12 +0000

I have one child who has played football under Coach Rigby for two years. My husband and I were very impressed with the way he presented himself, ran the program & had only the best intentions for his players. In fact, we were hoping our youngest would get to play for Coach Rigby next year when he starts Tate. I would like Coach Rigby to know we appreciate everything he has done for both of our boys. Good luck as you and your family move forward to new and exciting things!

By: Lets All Get Real

Lets All Get Real — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:21:46 +0000

You know, I agree with “Tate Football Mom” – It is a shame that a few alumni who have close ties with downtown administration could have such pull, such contempt, and such hatred toward a man they do not know, a team they do not support, and a school they are not in touch with – to which they have no further commitment to other than “voting” rights at the polls. OK – I get it – they helped build the stadium, the school, the past history. Big deal, it’ is NOT about the past, or the alumni – it’s about the students here and now, and the future.

Are the future students, parents, coaches, and whoever else – suppose to bow down to past “alumni”??? You know, I can’t recall a single alumni (and you know who you are) at a Tate Aggie QB Club meeting, a fund raiser, knocking on doors for donations, painting the stadium, picking up trash…?????? Shame, shame, shame. And people – leave Coach Bennett alone, geese…. I can’t imagine he would come to Tate in the midst of all this. What in the world would he gain?

Do your homework people, college scouts could care less about the winning/loosing season of a high school, they care about the PLAYER – not the scoreboard. Stop living your lives through the coaches, and your CHILDREN!

And if any of the “alumni” that made calls, placed letters to admin, complained about the coaches, etc, etc…. if you think for one second that Pensacola is so large that people of Tate do not know who or what your intentions are, you might want to wake up.

The best of luck to you Coach Rigby. A good Coach, and a GREAT example for the players and students of ANY sport.

By: WOW...

WOW... — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:44:52 +0000

@ ashamed…Very easy for an WFHS alumni to say that OF COURSE!!!
All the high school prepare students for their future…not just WFHS.
And ALL high school have an abundance of students that live on mommy and daddy
money until they figure out what they want to do—not just Tate.

Grow up and stop pointing fingers.

By: Ashamed

Ashamed — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 06:40:37 +0000

You people should be ashamed of yourselves. If you can sit there and belittle the students who worked hard to get into a program that puts them into a situation where they can make something of their life, then check your own life. I went to WFHS, and Northview, and my older brother went to Tate, and I have seen first hand the way Tate athletics are run. The good old boy, my dad played with the coach system can only work so long. Since when is high school all about sports? Instead of talking about football recruiting that hinders Tate’s success, why not talk about the act that students leave these academies more prepared to be of value to our community. Where as Tate has an abundance of people who feel it is completely okay to get by on mommy and daddy’s money until they figure out what to do with there life. Let’s try and leave the students out of this who decided to work for a future. WFHS doesn’t seem to be pumping out Div. 1 prospects, but it does put out young men and women who are prepared to be of some value to or community.

By: 24/7

24/7 — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 04:46:01 +0000

Northview has kids from their district that play @ PHS, WFHS, Flomaton, Escambia Academy and Atmore.. They had a winning season and they are not complaining about it. I guess people have to blame it on something, recruiting is it.. Who cares coach what you have and dont worry about what you dont. The article was Coach Rigby, and not recruiting.. I wish Coach Rigby all the best.. Bubba Said it best let the coaches coach and the fans sit in the stands and watch the game..

By: Amazed...

Amazed... — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:48:32 +0000

I have been reading the comments on here and I just can’t believe that some people are so malicious. This article is about Coach Rigby. It is not about who the next coach is going to be. Maybe Mr. Shackle already knows who that may be and maybe he doesn’t. It really doesn’t matter.
Coach Rigby was not perfect, but he coached for the right reasons, and his players knew it. I think that his heart was in the right place and his intentions were always the best. There are many players that looked up to him and will miss him dearly. I know that this is very difficult for him, especially when his own children will (or maybe not) attend Tate.
There are some flaws to the academies that the high school are offering when it comes to sports. ALL high school recruit and you will NEVER be able to convince me otherwise. Yes, it is a fact that many students that live within Tate’s district attend WFHS. It is a shame because it does take away from the talent that should be attending Tate–especially when WFHS has a bus stop that picks up in front of Tate!!! I feel that Coach Rigby has done the best with what he was given. Do you think that the players don’t see it?? Many of their friends that they know and still hang out with go to other high schools. I do not know if it fair to say they chose to go other school because of academies or the coach.
Undoubtedly, all eyes will be on Tate to see who will take over and “turn the program” around. But what happens to the next coach when the same thing goes on??? If he doesn’t have a winning season…are we going to blame him or the situation? Hmmmmm…makes me wonder.
i wish Coach RIgby and his family all the best. I know that this is heartbreaking, but God has a bigger plan. Prayers and much love to you!

By: Tate Football Mom

Tate Football Mom — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:08:42 +0000

As the mom of a Tate football player it’s obvious that the group of 70’s football alumni players (those who call and complain to downtown) have no clue as to what kind of man Coach Rigby really is. He is a man of character that has tried to instill the values of intergity, working hard and to be there for your team mates when they are going thru the trials that make us the person we will become. It will be very hard to replace him with a coach that loves Tate High School as much as Coach Rigby does.

Mr. Shackle, you should be ashamed to have let Coach Rigby go before the football banquet. You owe each of the Senior football players an apology for this. But, hats off to the other coaches that stepped up and made the banquet a success by honoring the Senior players.

As to the group of 70’s alumni where are you when it’s time to clean the stadium for football season, where are you when it’s time to work the Aggie Shack, where are you when it’s time to sell football program ads or sell programs at the home games, where are you when the booster club meets every month. You are no where to be found. But, you are quick to sit in the stands and complain about the coaching of the team.

Coach Rigby, I want to thank you for the last 2 years you have coached my son. You have been a mentor, teacher and encourager to him and I appreciate what you have done for the football program. You may not think so now but, God has great plans for you and he will take care of you and your family.