BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — After 20 years on the gridiron, a Kentucky high school football coach is stepping down. 

“It is strange to hear, but I think it’s something I’m ready to accept,” said Matt Brannon, Daviess County High School football coach. 

Brannon helped transform the program during his tenure, including helping beautify the high school’s field. 

“When I took this place over, [the current field] wasn’t here,” he said. “It was a grass field and old barbed-wire fences everywhere.”

Brannon was head coach for nine years and brought home 58 wins, the second-most wins from a football coach in the school’s history.

Despite these wins, Brannon doesn’t consider this the most important part of his role as a coach. While winning is important, Brannon determines success by witnessing his players become better people while also being a positive figure for them both on and off the field, he said. 

For example, one of his assistant coaches who was also a former player recently got married, a moment Brannon said he’ll always remember celebrating.  

“To me, it’s about being there for them during tough times and good times, especially as they grow older,” he said. 

Joining the program his junior year, senior player Gillam Nicodemus said he considers Brannon a father figure and not having his presence will be tough. 

“He was probably the first person I talked to without a little anxiety in my heart,” Nicodemus said.

Junior Ryder Cunningham echoed Nicodemus’ sentiments and said he feels for the team’s younger players not being able to have him around. 

“I know how much he means to me, and I wouldn’t want any other coach to be with,” Cunningham said. 

Even though Brannon is stepping down as a coach, he’ll still be in the school, teaching physical education. 

“I just want to see this community to grow,” he said. “Whoever is next, I wish them the best.”