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Hawkins to step down as SM football coach
Tim Hawkins, Smoky Mountain’s football coach since 2001, has announced plans to resign at the end of the season.
Hawkins has an 18-35 record after Friday’s 35-0 loss to Brevard.
He will remain at the school as a physical education teacher.
Tim Hawkins, Smoky Mountain’s football coach since 2001, has announced plans to resign effective at the end of the season. – Photo by Mark Haskett
Hawkins told Principal Alex Bell and Superintendent Sue Nations of his decision Tuesday, Oct. 4. He informed the players the next day.
“It’s a sad day and a happy day,” Hawkins said. “I’m sorry it’s over and wish it had gone better, but I’m looking forward to getting some things done in my life I haven’t been able to for the past five years.”
Hawkins said he came to the decision on Oct. 1, the day after a 28-0 loss to Tuscola.
“I was just disappointed in our season and our game (at Tuscola),” he said. “I decided for me and my family, for personal reasons and a lack of energy it was time for me to turn this over to somebody else.”
Hawkins said he had not been feeling well recently and was experiencing a lack of energy and enthusiasm. He also has had a sinus infection.
“All those things have had me feeling bad the past two weeks,” he said. “That contributed to the decision, but it wasn’t something I had been thinking of for a month or two.”
Hawkins emphasized he was under no pressure from the school board or administration to step aside. He gave Bell and Nations three options which included resigning immediately, announcing the decision now but continuing to coach until season’s end or not making the announcement until after the season.
“They did not deny me the right to quit now,” he said. “I just didn’t feel a sinus infection and being in a lull were enough reasons to walk away from these kids.”
A few months ago, Hawkins said he intended to assist with the baseball program this coming spring. Those plans are now on hold.
“What I need is two or three months to not think about coaching then I’ll know about the spring,” he said. Hawkins was SM’s head baseball coach for seven years before resigning from that post following the 2002 season. His record was 113-70-1.
Hawkins’ best record as football coach was 6-6 in 2002. The Mustangs reached the first round of the state playoffs the first three seasons but are 2-16 since the start of the 2004 campaign.
“My biggest thing was the losing,” he said. “Not being successful the past two seasons has taken its toll on me.”
“I certainly respect his decision,” Bell said. “I know he’s thought long and hard about it. He is concerned about the program. He cares about the kids and obviously he thought the best thing for him and the program was to do this.”
The principal said he hopes the football players will continue to play hard despite the impending departure of their coach.
“I hope we will be able to get some wins toward the end of the season,” Bell said. “That would be a fitting way for him to end his career. He’s been a good leader and a fine role model.”
Bell said there is no “sense of urgency” to name a coach.
“I really want to focus on finishing this season strong,” he said. “I don’t want to do anything that’s going to detract from the players.”
When the time comes to seek a new coach, Bell is leaving all options open.
“There are good people on the staff who are very knowledgeable, and there are a lot of other people in Western North Carolina who are good football people,” he said. “There are a lot of people in the Southeastern United States would like to live in Western North Carolina.”
“I appreciate what Tim has done for the program,” Nations said. “He’s a man of integrity and a good role model for the kids. I’m going to miss him in that role. He has given us a good part of his energies and his commitment.”
Hawkins is a lifelong resident of Jackson County and a 1985 graduate of Sylva-Webster High, where he played football, baseball and basketball.
Hawkins played baseball for Mars Hill and received a bachelor’s degree there in 1989.
He was a football and baseball assistant at Tuscola in 1989-90 and coached baseball at Blue Ridge in 1991.
Hawkins was a football assistant at Smoky Mountain from 1990-99.
After serving as a baseball assistant at SM from 1992-95, he headed the program from 1996-2002.
He is married to the former Bethany Morgan, and they are the parents of two daughters – Morgan and Molly.
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